From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 26, 1977

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 26, 1977

26 July 2017

NEWCASTLE — Ten year-old Manchester United fanatic Allen McKibben, from Newcastle, was a proud boy last week.

In fact, so proud was Allen that he must have been as chuffed as the renowned Bobby Charlton when he paraded the European Cup way back in 1968 after the Red Devils became the first English club to win the coveted trophy.

Not that Allen, from Bernagh Green, won anything so startling. But to a fanatical Reds supporter the winning of a super Manchester United mirror was something of which he could be proud.

Allen won the mirror when the Newcastle branch of the Manchester United Supporters Club held a raffle. One of the youngest members of the branch, Allen, resplendent in his Manchester United T-shirt, carried off the mirror to add to his collection of United souvenirs in his bedroom.

The Newcastle branch treasurer, Michael King, and secretary, Fergus Stewart, made the presentation. A surprised Fergus had to admit that Allen’s bedroom, full of souvenirs, programmes, photographs and club scarfs, proved that he was a Red Devils supporter in the true mould.

DOWNPATRICK — Capacity crowds watched a Downpatrick group attain another major singing success at the weekend. The Killen Family took top marks in the Newcastle Festival talent competition when they won the overall prize in the three sections.

Fortune seems to be smiling on the group, comprising Mrs Una Skillen and her children, Brendan, Cora, Bronagh and Siobhan, who are rapidly gaining respect and popularity through their recent successes.

On Friday they won third prize of £20 in the Portaferry Gala Week talent competition at which the judges were cartoonist Rowel Friers, Brian Baird of UTV and the Ulster Dairy Queen.

The Killens have already made a radio appearance on Downtown’s Stairway to Stardom programme.

SEAFORDE — The two early 19th century almshouses in Seaforde, which have been restored and modernised, will be officially opened tomorrow. Two families drawn from the Housing Executive list are to move into the houses which have been undergoing repairs over the past year.

The restoration is the first project undertaken by Hearth, a subsidiary of the Historical, Environmental and Architectural Rehabiliation Trust. The almshouses and courthouse, forming a terrace, were in a derelict condition, when they were acquired by the housing association.

The two dwellings have now been modernised from the original buildings, while the restoration of the remainder of the terrace and of another terrace in the village is about to begin.

The initial funding of the project was made possible by the Pilgrim Trust and the National Trust, and the buildings were acquired at below market price through the generosity of Mr Patrick Forde.

Although the restoration has been carried out to a high standard, including work by a local stonemason, the cost per dwelling has still been lower than the average cost of a new house.

BALLYNAHINCH — When eleven year-old Gregory Maguire, from Ballynahinch, found a penny in his father’s shop this week he thought he had struck it rich.

Although a penny isn’t worth too much now, this one was rather special. It was, in fact, almost 200 years old and dated back to 1797.

Gregory, who lives at Lisburn Road, found the old coin while doing renovation work at his father’s shop in Downpatrick’s Scotch Street. He had been replacing an old door when the coin fell out.

Gregory later discovered that it was a King George III cartwheel penny. But any dreams of riches which might have flashed into Gregory’smind have since been dispelled.

Dermot McQuoid, an Ardglass coin collector, explained that the coin is not worth much because it has been defaced and was probably used in the past as a pendant or lucky charm. Nevertheless, the 180 year-old find is well worth holding on to.

PORTAFERRY — The thousands of people who swooped on Portaferry throughout last week helped set an all-time attendance record at the popular Gala Week.

As the organisers took a breather from a hectic week of fun and games the news of the record must have been a massive morale booster to the many people who worked so hard to make it possible.

As usual, the kids dominated the arena for much of the week and the competition for the fancy dress and the junior showtime was one of the strongest ever. The float parade, sponsored by Murphy Jewellers, Downpatrick, was a glittering affair and was won by the Slip Inn with Noel’s Ark. Second was an original design, The Old Woman in a Shoe, by the Lennon family.

Portaferry Gala Week has now become a permanent fixture, not only to the small Ards peninsula pocket but also to a large slice of the province. The Gala Committee wish to express their deep appreciation to everyone who helped organise the numerous events and to those who sportingly took part.

KILLYLEAGH — Mr Dennis Bennett, of Killyleagh, has two unexpected visitors. They are two young wagtails whose mother has built a net under the deck of his sailing boat, Timba.

Mr Bennett, of Bridge Street, discovered the young birds on the boat at Killyleagh harbour recently. When the boat was moored the chicks’ mother had no difficulty in getting food to them, but when it set off for regattas, the story was different.

The mother, who feeds her young on insects and seeds, resorted to sitting anxiously on the jetty until the boat returned and could resort to feeding.

However Mrs Bennett made sure that the young did not go hungry when at sea — she fed with slugs and pieces of bread.

COMBER — The first step towards the building of a new multi-purpose community hall in Comber has got underway. Ards Borough Council have decided to submit plans for a new hall in Castle Street for the approval of the planners.

The site has already been earmarked for a recreation centre, but the idea of incorporating a multi-purpose community hall is a new one. It is hoped the new hall would be the first step in the building of any recreation complex and would be available for use by community and youth groups.

Local councillor Hamilton McKeag had a warm reception for the news. “Comber is very much lacking in facilities and I welcome this first step towards the provision of a new hall,” he said.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield bowler Greer Wilson came to within one shot of winning the 1977 Tennents Lager City of Belfast open bowls singles championship at the weekend.

In a tense final Wilson looked in a winning position with his last bowl to come, but it skimmed past the lying bowl of his opponent and gone was his chance of winning.

It was a nerve-wracking finish, though, as Wilson fought back from 16-11 down to level at 20-20 before his last bowl failed to give him the victory he deserved.

CARRYDUFF — The USPCA’s latest facility at Carryduff is proving itself quite a snip. Owners of shaggy dogs from all around are queuing up to have their hairy pets washed and manicured.

Up until a few months ago owners would have had to go to commercial grooming parlours with all the expense that entails. But now they can go to the Carryduff shelter and have their pets demoted and groomed at a much lower price.

Shelter superintendent Norman Henry says the service has become very popular since it started several months ago and bookings are normally taken a week ahead. “We simply charge what the people can afford, but as a rule a big dog costs about £4 or £5 for a complete do-up.”