From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 30, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 30, 1974

30 July 2014

DOWNPATRICK — Mr. Edward McGrady, chairman of Down District Council, accused the Ministry of Education of using “delaying tactics” to hold up the sports complex proposed for Downpatrick.

Mr. McGrady told councillors that although certain questions were raised with the Ministry and settled years ago, they were being constantly rehashed. He said that with the number of schoolchildren and the ordinary population of the area, the facility of two playing fields was woefully inadequate.

“What is required is for the council to obtain some facility — nothing grandiose but basic for a community who are totally and absolutely in need of facilities. The Ministry are totally aware of the terrible strain there has been on the people of this area.”

Mr. Terence McKee said: “We are at the back of the queue and this is terribly wrong.” Mr. Cecil Maxwell urged the council to make strong representations to the Ministry, otherwise there would be long term serious problems. He said small towns in Northern Ireland were suffering so that major schemes in Craigavon and Antrim should go ahead and this was making councillors sick.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Court proceedings were temporarily halted when the magistrate, Mr. Harry McDevitt, paid tribute to local Chief Inspector Robert Smyth, who is retiring soon from the force. Mr. McDevitt said he was surprised to learn of the Chief Inspector’s retirement and thanked him for all the assistance he had given the courts over the years. He wishes him every happiness in his retirement.

Speaking personally and on behalf of the other solicitors practising in the area, Mr. Colman Hanna associated himself with the magistrate’s remarks. He said that in the administration of justice Chief Inspector Smyth had always been fair and honourable in his dealings and he, too, wished him every success in his new post in the Civil Service.

In reply, Chief Inspector Smyth, who has been in Newcastle for the past seven years, returned thanks for the kind tributes.

HOLLYMOUNT — For the past seventy years parishioners at Hollymount Church, near Downpatrick, could have been excused had they turned up late for morning service. The old bell which summoned the congregation to worship has been out of action.

But now things are looking up because after repeated efforts by Dean Robert Kilpatrick the job of overhauling and renewing the seized mechanism has finally been completed. During the holidays Arthur McMullan and his two sons, Arthur Jr. and William, put the ding back in the dong.

Apart from 87 year-old John Gracey, from Woodgrange, a lifelong member of the church, no-one in the present congregation has a recollection of the bells ringing. It was the gift of Lady Harriet Forde and cost £21 when the church was first opened for worship in 1840.

PORTAFERRY — Anyone who attended any of the attractions during last week’s Gala in Portaferry must have been impressed by the organisation during the most successful programme yet organised by the local gala committee.

Mr. Liam Gilmore, Gala committee chairman, says that people appreciate the freedom the Gala affords and this was one of the reasons for its success. Well successful it certainly was with crowds thronging the square and throughways all week to catch a glimpse of the action.

Mrs. Bridget McGrath, of The Shore, Portaferry, once again dominated the ‘gorgeous granny’ competition and it’s hardly surprising. Seventy-five year-old Mrs. McGrath has 60 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and down Portaferry way they don’t believe she’s a day over fifty!

BALLYNAHINCH — At the beginning of the school holidays 34 pupils from Ballynahinch Primary School and six adults set off on an educational tour of the EEC countries. They recently returned home after a very enjoyable trip, which was the first ventured by the school and will probably not be the last.

Blankenberge, the holiday resort on the Belgian coast, had been the school’s base, and staff and pupils agreed that the hotel accommodation was ideal for a school party. Mr. Jimmy Davidson, the leader of the party, remarked that the hotel was suitable for all types of parties, youth and adult alike — and could be readily recommended.

DUNDRUM — The new-style Dundrum regatta and sports programme, spread over two days at the weekend, attracted the biggest ever crowds to the annual event. This year the committee decided to hold sailing and canoe racing, etc. on Friday with the sports on Saturday afternoon. As usual, they seemed to be able to organise perfect wind for sailing and wonderful sunshine the sports events. The organising committee did a wonderful job so that all the events ran with perfect smoothness.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass police are concerned about the constant removing of ‘No Waiting’ signs in the village. Frequently these signs are found lying in hedges.

SPA — Spa Young Farmers’ Club recently held its annual pig and sheep judging competitions at the farm of Mr. L. Miscampbell, Crossgar. Twelve members also travelled to Omagh Show recently and the 18-21 years team are to be congratulated on gaining second place, as is David Carlisle, who gained the second individual place.

STRANGFORD — A lifeboat belonging to Mr. Maurice Johnston, owner of the Lobster Pot bar and restaurant in Strangford is at present making its way round the coast of Ireland. On board is Mr. Johnston’s son, Nigel, and three of his friends. The boys hope to make the trip is six weeks.

BELL’S HILL — Cross-country runner Alan McKee, of Bell’s Hill, Downpatrick, has been selected for the NI team to compete in the Ben Nevis climb event in the forthcoming Highland Games in Scotland. Alan and his Ballydrain Harriers team-mate, Jim Hayes, were placed second and first respectively in the Slieve Donard Race after which both were selected for the team.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh Parish Scouts have just returned from their annual summer camp, held this year in the Scottish islands of Mull and Skye. Much of the time spent was holiday was taken up by sight-seeing, visiting such places as Duart Castle, the home of the former Chief Scout, Lord Maclean, and the Abbey on Iona island. While on the mainland the troop visited St. Conan’s Kirk where fragments of the bones of Robert the Bruce are on show.

SEAFORDE — A gas cylinder exploded at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anderson, at Tannaghmore Road, Seaforde, severely damaging the building. All the windows in the house, a gate lodge at the Forde estate, were blown out by the blast. Many of the slates on the roof were blown off, particularly at the back of the building.

KILLINCHY — Killinchy Young Farmers had a very enjoyable evening at a sports night held by Newtownards Young Farmers. The sports consisted of an obstacle race, a wheel changing race, tug-of-war and a tractor driving competition.

GAA — The full Down panel for the Ulster Championship final against Donegal at Clones on Sunday turned for training at Newcastle on Tuesday night. Of the side that lost to Tyrone 12 months ago, seven remain in the line-out.

The panel is: Joe O’Hare, Brendan Sloan, Dan McCartan, Peter Hamill, Cathal Digney, Mark Turley, Martin Slevin, Donal Gordon, Peter Rooney (capt.), Cecil Ward, Mickey Cunningham, Colm McAlarney, Peter McGrath, Sean O’Neill, Willie Walsh.

Replacements: Laurence McAlinden, Brian Bell, John Brown, Kevin Smith, Bill Gardner, Eugene Grant, Clem Stewart, John Crilly, Pat McEvoy, Oliver McMullan.