From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 14, 1978

From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 14, 1978

14 February 2018

NORTH DOWN — Worried farmers in the North Down area have warned that they may soon impose a total ban on hunting over their lands. The message comes from the North Down Group of the Ulster Farmers’ Union and is part of a desperate campaign to stop the spread of tuberculosis among cattle in the district.

North Down, which stretches from Saintfield and Ballygowan across to the Holywood hills, is now the province’s worst blackspot for TB among herds and the local farmers have accused the huntsmen of making the problem even more difficult to combat.

The farmers say that the hunt packs ignore Department of Agriculture warnings not to ride on infected land and help the spread of the disease by knocking down hedges and fences.

At the recent annual meeting of the North Down Group of the UFU members decided to meet the local hunt clubs for talks on the problem.

A spokesman warned this week that if no solution can be found then the Group would be pressing for a total ban on hunting in the area.

“We can’t be sure that the hunt transmits the disease, but they certainly don’t help matters,” he said. “Our members have been greatly concerned by the carelessness and disregard shown by the hunt clubs and if we can’t get some agreement with them then we will press for a total ban on hunting in the area.”

A spokesman for North Down Harriers, the main hunting club in the area, said the club would welcome the chance to meet local farmers for talks.

Mr William Montgomery, joint master of the Harriers and a member of the North Down Group of the UFU, strongly refuted the farmers’ claims that huntsmen had ignored warnings not to ride over infected land. He also denied the claim that hunting could be helping the spread of TB.

“More than 50% of people who hunt are farmers, so obviously if they thought there was a serious danger they wouldn’t be doing it,” he said. “I am a farmer myself and have had TB among my stock, so I am aware of the problem.”

CROSSGAR — A Crossgar civil servant has been presented with an Imperial Service Medal. Mr George Fitzsimons, of Killyleagh Street, retired in September after 31 years with the Department of Environment property services agency.

Mr Fitzsimons joined the Department in 1946 and received his first posting to the Royal Naval Depot near Loughmann, Crossgar. He then served at Lisburn, Bishopscourt and Ballykinlar as foreman mechanical and electrical engineer.

KILLOUGH — Villagers in Killough have appealed to the Housing Executive for an expansion of its building programme.

With work already started on 13 houses in Killough, the local village committee have asked the Executive to extend the contract to include a further ten houses which are currently scheduled for the 1980s.

Committee members say they are “seriously concerned” at the present construction programme. “Already 21 first preference and eight second preference applications have been received by the local housing office and 13 homes just won’t meet this demand,” a spokesman said.

The villagers’ demands have been given strong backing by local councillors George Flinn and John Ritchie. “Housing development in Killough has been very static over the past number of years and there is definitely a need for more dwellings,” Mr Flinn said.

Mr Ritchie commented: “There is no doubt the housing list will grow when people see new houses going up. I know many villagers who have moved into estates in Downpatrick would be glad to move back.”

BALLYNAHINCH — Local businessmen should receive encouragement to enlarge in a bid to curb unemployment, Ballynahinch Chamber of Trade has recommended. The president, Mr D Bonner, said he had been disappointed at the unhelpful outcome of a recent meeting on unemployment and industrial development.

Town traders also expressed anxiety at the condition of vacant houses in Windmill Street where loose slates hung dangerously from roofs. It was decided to bring the situation to the notice of Down Council so that repair work could be carried out.

It was also decided to write to representatives of the Ker estate about the “atrocious” condition of the fair green at the junction of the Belfast and Crossgar roads.

PORTAFERRY — The children of a small housing estate at Ballyblack on the outskirts of Portaferry have always played on the road outside their homes, but now they may be getting a new playground if an idea from local councillor Paddy Doherty gets off the ground.

According to Mr Doherty there are around 18 children living in eight houses on the estate and they no playing space at all. Indeed, there’s isn’t even a footpath at the houses and he feels there is a grave danger of an accident occurring.

Ards Borough Council’s recreation manager, Mr Jim Ritchie, said a small playground could be created by taking a portion of each of the gardens on the estate. He said that if the tenants agreed to this and the Housing Executive gave the land over, a small play area could be developed quite cheaply.

BALLYKINLAR — The Duchess of Kent is to visit the province later this month. The date of her visit has not yet been announced because of security reasons, but she is making the trip to open a new home at Ballykinlar.

The home will provide accommodation and facilities for service personnel. The previous home was wrecked by an IRA bomb attack in 1974. The Duchess is patron of the Sandes Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Homes.

CARRYDUFF — A Carryduff teenager has won a top prize in a beauty competition that attracted more than 50 entries from all over the UK.

Heather Ellis, of Killynure Close, won second place in the Miss Warriner competition, which was sponsored by the Warriner and Mason wholesale cash and carry grocery group.

Heather, who works as a check-out operator at Holmes Cash and Carry Group in Belfast, earned herself an all-expenses paid day trip to Birmingham where she was presented with a £10 cheque, a teddy bear and other prizes.

Her big day was completed with visits to Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon and a tour of Birmingham’s shopping centre.

KILLYLEAGH — A large crowd attended a special variety concert in Killyleagh on Sunday night to celebrate the opening of St Mary’s Parochial Hall. The evening got underway with the opening of the hall by Fr Dominic Murray, of Portaferry. Various native priests and visiting clergy also attended the ceremony.

Originally, the hall was used for 114 years as a church. Then a new adjoining church was built and the hall was converted. Early stages of building conversion were carried out voluntarily by local parishioners and this is estimated to have saved thousands of pounds.

SAINTFIELD — Next Monday sees the start of Lifeboat Week in Saintfield and the local branch of the RNLI have appeared for support in their fund-raising efforts.

Appeal letters will be going out to past subscribers and others. The branch chairman, Col Perceval-Price, has called on everyone to subscribe to the collection.

CASTLEWELLAN — A Castlewellan man whose car was struck by a military vehicle on January 23, 1976, was awarded £5,000 damages in the High Court. As a result of the collision Mr Ivan Meharg, of McKay’s Road, received multiple cuts to his face and suffered permanent damage to his right knee.

BALLYGOWAN — Almost 1,000 people packed into Ballygowan Presbyterian Church to attend the funeral service of one of Ballygowan’s most popular residents.

He was Mr Robert 

Gourley, of The Square, who died on Friday aged 78. Mr Gourley, who owned a general merchant’s shop and public house in Ballygowan, was well known and respected throughout the area. 

He was an active member of a number of organisations in the area.