From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 12, 1972

12 December 2012

ARDGLASS — An Ardglass factory which once employed 15 people is to close because the firm finds it more economical to import raw materials from the continent.

Since December 1967 the former fishmeal factory, sited on the quay, has been processing raw pig bristle for the manufacturing of brushes. Now LG Harris and Co., an English concern with a parent factory at Stoke Prior, Worcestershire, has decided to axe its Irish interests.

Its labour force has been reduced to three men and a manager, all of whom have been offered alternative employment in England. The manager, Mr. Brian Fitzsimons, told the Recorder yesterday that the men — they are all from the locality — are not interested in pulling up roots and moving out.

“I am sorry to see the factory close,” Mr. Fitzsimons said. “It gave a certain amount of employment, at one time we were employing 15 men and we bought all our diesel fuel for the lorries in Ardglass.”

The factory may not remain empty for long. It is understood a number of people have already expressed an interest in it.

DOWNPATRICK — An estimated 400 members of the Confederation of Healthy Service Employees from the general and domestic staffs of Downpatrick’s three hospitals held a one-hour token strike at Downshire Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Their action was in keeping with that of other hospital manual workers throughout the Province who, angry at the effect of the Government’s wage freeze on their claim for a £4 a week pay rise, decided to draw public attention to their plight.

A peaceful picket was held at the Downshire from 2pm to 3pm. It has been stressed that hospital ancillary workers are among the lowest paid workers in the country, with some married men taking home less than £15 a week.

KILLYLEAGH — Mr. Edward Lennon, who represents Killyleagh on East Down Rural Council, has strongly criticised the delays which have been holding up the provision of a playground at Comber Road in the town.

When a letter was received from the Ministry of Development concerning the vesting of property for the playground, at Monday night’s meeting he stated: “I don’t know how this council runs its business. Between June and September there was not a word about this. Whose duty is it to follow these things up? To me this is ridiculous. If you were running a business you would be in bankruptcy.”

BRYANSFORD — Mr. Denis Wm. Macalister (51), of Long Acre, Bryansford, Newcastle, died after being involved in a road accident on Tuesday evening. He was driving his three-litre Rover car in the direction of Belfast when he was involved in a collision with a Land Rover near Seaforde. The other driver was taken to Downe Hospital for treatment.

CASTLEWELLAN — There was an air of festivity in Enniskeen Hotel when the members of Castlewellan Women’s Institute gathered for their annual Christmas party. The artistes included Mr. Gus McIlroy and Mr. Jimmy Cowan — fiddle and guitar — followed by country and western songs from Mrs. Walsh, Dundrum. ‘The Holy City’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ were sung by Mrs. Aline Hanna, of the Glee Singers. The pianist for the evening was Mr. Johnston, brother of the president, Mrs. Vance.

STRANGFORD — Strangford branch of the East Down Unionist Association held its annual meeting in Ballyculter on Tuesday night. Officers elected were: president, Miss R. Tate; vice-president, the Baroness de Ros; chairman, Mr. John Crea; vice-chairman, Commander J. D. Maxwell; secretary, Mr. Wm. Crea; treasurer, Mr. John Johnston.

ANNSBOROUGH — East Down Rural Council is to spend an estimated £45,000 on providing playing fields at Annsborough. At Monday night’s council meeting the engineer, Mr. J. L. Campbell, stated that preliminary application for a children’s playground, two pitches and a pavilion had been sent to the clerk, Mr. Gordon S. Pentland, for submission to the Ministry of Education.

It was hoped the Ministry would grant approval in principle and give an indication of the grant available on the expenditure of £45,000.

CROSSGAR — The Rev. J. C. Pedlow conducted the annual enrolment service at the Lissara Company Girls’ Brigade on Sunday morning. Mrs. M. Hamilton, captain, Mrs. F. Hamilton, Miss H. Coffey and Miss M. McMullan, lieutenants, Miss Iris McMillan, sub-officer, and girls were enrolled.

A presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award was made by the captain to Miss Christine Dickson. The offering was received by Rosemary Ellison, Cynthia Hill, Ivy McCormick and Libby Ritchie.

BALLYNAHINCH — A Ballynahinch man was fired on as he drove home along the Ballymacarn Road on Sunday morning. Three shots were fired from an automatic weapon by two men from another car which followed him. He escaped injury.

KILLINCHY — In the final of the Co. Down YFC quiz, held in Killinchy last week, members from Artana, Ballywalter and Killinchy competed in eight interesting and head scratching rounds. After a close contest, Killinchy emerged the winners of the Co. Down Quiz Shield for the third successive year with a score of 92.

The members of the winning team were Gillian Morrow, Beth Robinson, Ian Morrison and Jennifer Morrow. Mr. Harold McKeever was the question master and at a dance which followed the music was supplied by the Countrybeats.

ANNACLOY — Downpatrick and East Down Road Safety Committee has been informed by the County Surveyor that a footpath will be constructed on the Annacloy Road at Tullynacree Terrace. It is hoped that the work will be carried out in the near future.

KILLYLEAGH — Mr. Martin Nicholson snr., a Killyleagh shop owner, was injured in Catherine Street on Wednesday evening when struck by a car driven by Mr. D. Rea, Church Street, Downpatrick. Mr. Nicholson, who resides at The Net Walk, was taken to Downe Hospital where he was detained.

KILMORE — Almost £100 was realised at a Christmas fair and cake sale organised by Kilmore Presbyterian Church on Friday night. The proceeds will go towards the church missions.

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