From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 27, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 27, 1976

27 July 2016

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s new swimming pool complex could also become the site of the town’s community hall if plans drawn up by Down Council are approved by the Department of Education.

This is the latest development in the council’s long quest to provide some form of a recreation hall for people in the area. It came when the owner of the Grand cinema decided not to lease it to the council for a community hall, despite expectations that he was going to.

The idea of leasing the old cinema, which closed in 1974, came as a stop-gap measure after the council were refused grand aid to build a town hall. Although it lacks a large floor space for dancing, the cinema would have been useful for staging plays, musical events and even things like boxing.

Mr Harley Breen, the Downpatrick bookmaker who owns the Grand, said he would be willing to lease the premises and the Department of Finance began evaluating them. But at a council meeting this week it was announced that Mr Breen had changed his mind and the cinema could not be used as a community hall.

NEWCASTLE — The bomb-damaged Brook Cottage Hotel in Newcastle has already reopened its doors for business. The business-as-usual sings went up only hours after the lounge had been extensively damaged by a 10lb bomb.

The owner, Mr Hugh Davey, hopes to have the premises back in perfect shape as soon as possible and already workmen have been called in.

The bomb was spotted by an employee about 10.30pm on Monday night. A plastic bag had been left on the window ledge. The device was found to be ticking, so the premises were quickly cleared. Shortly afterwards, an anonymous call, telling of the bomb, was made to Castlewellan RUC station.

An army technical officer arrived early on Tuesday morning, but the bomb exploded about 1.30am, extensively damaging the lounge and breaking some windows in nearby houses. The Brook Cottage was previously bombed about two-and-a-half years ago.

CASTLEWELLAN — A Castlewellan councillor has attacked the organisers of a music festival held recently in Castlewellan. Mr Seamus Fitzpatrick told Down councillors that he had received a large number of complaints from people who were shocked by the organisation of a Fleadh Ceoil held on July 16.

Mr Fitzpatrick said there was no attempt to entertain people and there was widespread confusion. He told councillors, who made a £100 grant towards the event, to remember this in future if they were asked to help financially.

The council’s tourist officer, Mr Bryan Coburn, said that when he had visited the town he saw several music competitions taking place during the day, although he agreed there was nothing happening in the evening.

Mr Jarlath Carey, the Dundrum councillor, pointed out that this was the first time a Fleadh Ceoil was held in Co Down and although the organisation was found wanting, he felt it could be developed into something big.

ST JOHN’S POINT — A lightening operation to allow an oil tanker to sail into Liverpool docks took place off St John’s Point on Tuesday. The two vessels involved were the huge Liberian-registered tanker, Energy Transport, and the Shell tanker, Napicina.

A lightening operation means that one ship takes some of the cargo off another to make it light enough — and therefore high enough in the water — to enter its port of destination. In this case it took ten hours for the Napicina to unload enough from the Energy Transport, which is believed to be heading for Liverpool.

Such operations are quite frequent off our coasts and can involve huge amounts of fuel, sometimes as much as 60-70 thousand tonnes, being transferred.

BALLYNAHINCH — A summer activities scheme in Ballynahinch has attracted more than 100 children from the area during the past two weeks.

Some of the children are learning to swim at pools in Downpatrick and Lisburn. Others have gone pony trekking at Castlewellan and a party have gone canoeing on the river Lagan. Events at the scheme’s base at Ballynahinch Secondary School include cricket, mini-golf, darts and table tennis.

Specialist activities such as judo, gymnastics and trampling have been taught by experts at the Ards Arena. Other events planned include a sea fishing trip off Annalong coast and a visit to Belfast Zoo.

Although the leaders are trying to provide as wide a variety of activities as possible, any offers of voluntary help would be gladly received.

PORTAFERRY — Portaferry’s eleventh annual gala week came to a climax on Friday when some of the biggest ever crowds were seen in the loughside village. Six hectic days of entertainment attracted thousands of visitors and brought out the local people in their hundreds to spectate and participate in the many and varied events.

The six months of hard work by the gala committee committee came to fruition and their programme was hailed as one of their most entertaining yet. All events were well attended, but it was the final two days, Thursday and Friday, that really set the seal on the proceedings.

Mr Liam Gilmore, one of the organisers, was presented with a mounted cigarette lighter in recognition of his valuable services in making the week such a success.

DRUMANESS — Down Council’s oldest member, Mr Dan Rice, of Rose Cottage, Drumaness, died suddenly at his home on July 19. He was due to attend a council meeting that night. He died in one of his fields shortly before he intended to stop work.

Much of his life had been devoted to the promotion of Irish culture. As a young man he had fought the struggle for independence. He also taught himself to speak Gaelic fluently, although he had little formal education.

He was well known for his battle with authority for amenities for the Drumaness area. One of his latest achievements was the new playing fields and recreation hall in the village.

During the 1960s Mr Rice was a founder member of the National Democratic Party and he stood against Mr Brian Faulkner in 1964 for the East Down seat at Stormont. He was one of the leading figures in the NDP to join the Social and Democratic Labour Party after its formation.

KILLYLEAGH — The highlight of Killyleagh Parish Scouts’ camp at Wilz, Luxembourg, was a meeting with the American ambassador to the country. The boys were staying at an international camp site. During the visit the boys saw the palace of Grand Duke Jean and visited the grounds of Radio Luxembourg.

DUNDRUM — The first four-day Dundrum regatta and sports festival proved to be an outstanding success. Once again the main road from Belfast to Newcastle was blocked for several of the festival’s events and the village was decorated for the occasion. The weather was good with plenty of wind for the yachtsmen. All in all, another set of full marks for a hard-working organising committee.

KILCLIEF — A group of  Glasgow children have raised £1,800 towards Glebe House holiday home at Kilclief for children from troubled districts in the province. The money will go towards a building programme being carried out by the Harmony Trust Appeal Fund.

Mr Kevin Murphy, chariman of the Fund’s fund-raising committee, received the cheque in Glasgow from the United Free Church of Scotland.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar rider Mennel Watson has been chosen to represent Ireland in the Junior European Show Jumping Championships which will take place in Brussels from August 5-8. Mennel and his horse, Kong, will be part of a team of five, plus two reserves, chosen recently by the Equestrian Federation of Ireland.