From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 21, 1975

From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 21, 1975

21 January 2015

CASTLEWELLAN — A Castlewellan man, who with his wife and ten month-old child have left their former home after it was damaged by a bomb blast just before Christmas, say they have been forced to live with relations because the Housing Executive won't give them a home.

Mr. Malachy Drake (23), formerly of Main Street, his wife Doreen and baby Francis left their rented accommodation when it was damaged by the bomb which wrecked Magill's grocery and confectionery shop on December 21.

Since then they have been living with Mrs. Drake's parents in St. Malachy's Drive, Castlewellan, sharing a three-bedroom house with 11 other people.

Mr. Drake said he immediately filled in forms to place himself and his family on the emergency housing list. Since that time he has been waiting for official confirmation that he will be placed in a Housing Executive dwelling.

The Housing Executive have confirmed to the Recorder that Mr. Drake and his family are on the provisional emergency housing list pending a report on the matter which they have not yet received.

A police inspector in Newcastle has said that he was in touch with the Executive by telephone and explained the situation. Regarding a written report, he said that the Executive had not asked for one.

Meanwhile, Mr. Drake, his wife, who is expecting another child soon, and baby Francis will have to wait until things are sorted out.

KILLOUGH — Fr. Maurice Henry, PP at Killough, died suddenly at the age of 62. He had been appointed to Killough in June 1972.

Fr. McHenry was a native of Ballinlea, Co. Antrim, and was educated at Ballycastle High School, Queen's University and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. He was ordained in 1939 and became a curate at Crossgar.

After staying in Crossgar for two years he was transferred to Dunsford where he spent 14 years. He was later a curate at Waterfoot and then was appointed parish priest of Ahoghill.

DUNDRUM — Dundrum's cottage industry, Keown Knitwear, has received another boost with an order from a Scottish firm for thousands of hand-knitted Aran sweaters, but this has left the owner, Mr. William Keown, with a problem - where to get another 25 knitters to help him complete the order on time.

The 25 knitters he presents employs at various places around the province are not enough for the job, so he is looking for the same number of quality knitters again. All these knitters do the work in their home and then send the Arans to Dundrum for the finishing touches.

Not only do they come from Dundrum, but also from places like Ahoghill in Co. Antrim and parts of Co. Armagh. Mr. Keown is quick to point out that these are not just any old knitters, for his work has to come up to the standards set by the International Wool Secretariat. Mr. Keown also employs two ladies at the Dundrum shop making machine-knit garments.

Mr. Keown started his firm in Kilkeel, his birthplace nearly ten years ago, but on marrying his wife, Elizabeth, from Rathfriland in 1967 he moved to Dundrum, bringing the firm with him. He subsequently closed down the Kilkeel branch in 1969.

He has shown a lot of determination in building the business up, possibly due to the fact that he has been disabled from birth. However, he says that he couldn't go on without the support and encouragement of those around him.

Mr. Keown has plans for expansion at Dundrum and has the necessary approval, but he is waiting for the right economic climate before proceeding with them. That's not a bad achievement for a man who on his own admission could not walk until he was three, but he does not take the credit himself.

"I owe it all to my workers," he said. "It is the quality of their goods that has put where I am."

NEWCASTLE — Although the full plan for Newcastle's Looney Moon Festival won't be revealed until April 1, it seems as though around 30 groups will play a part. The town committee are confident that they can make this a season to remember in Newcastle with the plans that both they and Down District Council have drawn up.

Many groups as diverse as the Women's Institute and the Fire Brigade are already committed to help out at the festival and although the ideas are still rolling in, it is known that there will be a regatta, dancing contests and music competitions.

And it won't just be the local people who will be involved, promises committee chairman Mr. John Toner, who admits that they also have a large scale promotion for Donard Park up their sleeve.

DOWNPATRICK — When will Downpatrick's much-needed and long-awaited clinic and library building in Lower Market Street eventually be constructed?

That's the question that is bothering members of Down District Trades Union Council and at the monthly this week members expressed their strong views about the delay. It was agreed that the Education and Library Board be asked to explain the situation.

Mr. Michael Mills, Trades Council chairman, commenting on the unavailability of parking in the town, wanted to know what had happened to an off-street car parking scheme which the old urban council had considered a short time before the reorganisation of local government.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh postmistress, Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, must have been more than mildly surprised about the letter which ped on her desk this week. All the way from America, it was addressed to "The office of the Mayor in the city of Killyleagh."

When she opened the despatch Miss Stevenson found that the writer was seeking assistance from the non-existent mayor to help him find his ancestors in the Killyleagh area. The request was that the letter should be sent to Killyleagh's local newspaper — and that's where the Recorder came in.

The writer is Mr. Paul A. Smith, of 618 N. Altadena, Royal Oak, Michigan, who has been trying to trace his ancestors in Ireland for over eight years.

ARDGLASS — The gales that swept across the province on Monday night reached hurricane force gusts of 89mph at Ardglass. Many trees were blown down, but few roads were blocked. Several windows were blown in at Legamaddy Primary School.

Elsewhere in Down, parts of Newcastle were blacked out for half an hour, probably when a tree fell on electrical wires. Another fell on electrical wires on the Bryansford Road,

At Dundrum, a motor launch broke its moorings in the Inner Bay and beached itself just opposite the police station. There was some flood damage in Downpatrick's Market Street.

The very largely attended funeral took place on Monday to Rossglass cemetery following Requiem Mass in Killough. Fr. Connolly, a nephew, officiated.

BALLYNAHINCH — At the annual meeting of the Ballynahinch Business and Professional Women's Club Mrs. J. McAlister, the retiring president, gave her final report and said that her term of office had been a very happy one.

This was chiefly due to the fact that she had received generous assistance from Mrs. M. Price, her immediate past president, and from Mrs. J. Wightman, and from Mrs. J. Wightman and Mrs. R. Douglas, her two vice-presidents.

Mrs. McAlister paid tribute the valuable services given by Mrs. L. Smylie, treasurer, and Mrs. F. Bell, secretary, as well as the many minor office-bearers who had carried out their duties with dedication. She extended her thanks to all the members who had supported her over the past two and a half years and she wished the club continued success.

ANNSBOROUGH — Annsborough Women's Institute opened their first meeting of 1975 with a New Year's party. The vice-president, Mrs. J. McCartan, welcomed all present and wished everyone a happy new year. Afterwards several games were thoroughly enjoyed by all the ladies.

The ballots were won by Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Wilson. The birthday gift of the month went to Mrs. Smart, the competition for the nicest Christmas card was won by Mrs. Wilson and another for the smallest jug went to Mrs. George Bleue.

SOCCER — The first major shock of the Newcastle League's Harry Clarke Cup tournament occurred on Saturday when Division B club Seaforde produced their best form of the season and slammed Division A outfit Langley Rovers 4-1 at the village.