From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 5, 1973

5 June 2013

ELECTION — Edward McGrady and Bill Hampton were the only two candidates from Area B to be elected to the new Down Council on first preferences at yesterday’s court in Downpatrick Technical College.

Of the Area A candidates John Cleland, the Vanguard candidate, and Edward McVeigh (Unionist) were declared on first preferences. The results for Areas A and B were to be completed yesterday evening and the count for Area C will begin this morning.

Mr. McGrady is chairman of Downpatrick Urban Council and of the SDLP. His success was interpreted as a personal triumph and a recognition of his stewardship over ten years in local government. Mr. Hampton, a 30 year-old joiner, and secretary of the Down Trades Union Council, stood as an independent.

One of the most unexpected features of the day was the time take over the count. Mr. Paddy O’Donoghue, one of the SDLP candidates for Area C, became tired of waiting late in the day and asked the deputy returning officer, Mr. Gordon S. Pentland, if he should not have had more staff.

BAILIES MILLS — The closure of Magheraknock Primary School is to be deferred until a new school is built in the Bailies Mills area and provided that it is possible to obtain the services of a suitable person to act as principal in the meantime.

The decision was taken by Down County Education Committee after receiving a petition from the parents and management committee of the school.

The committee have proposed the building of a central rural school in the Bailies Mills area to serve three existing schools — Legacurry, Cargycrory and Magheraknock — all of which were scheduled for closure or replacement because of their condition or enrolment.

CASTLEWELLAN — A deputation from a group of Castlewellan farmers who have been withholding payment of water accounts because of a dispute about meter readings are to meet East Down Rural District Council on June 11. Three farmers, led by Sqdn. Leader E. G. Holmes, will ask the council for a compromise settlement on the disputed accounts.

The row began when farmers received bills which were in some cases well over £100 higher than normal. According to the farmers, the water meters had been estimated for a number of years with the result that when they were finally read the bills were huge.

Said Mr. Holmes: “It is a long history of incompetency on the apt of the council which we, the farmers, do not think we should have to pay for. One farmer, who normally receives a water account in the region of £22, was sent a bill for £131.”

And he warned: “If we don’t get some sort of compromise settlement, we will take the case to the Commissioner of Complaints.”

SPA — The new primary school at Spa will be available for use at the beginning of the next school term, in September. Accommodation has been provided for 129 children in four classrooms and the Ministry of Education has approved a scheme whereby the present Spa Primary School, as Magherahamlet Primary School and Drumaness Mills Primary School, will be closed.

It has been recommended that the children from Magherahamlet and Drumaness Mills should be transferred to the new school in September and that transport should be provided for those eligible under the Education Act, who are transferring to Spa.

SAINTFIELD — The Rev. N. W. Woodrow, vicar, presided at the Easter vestry of Saintfield Parish Church Select vestry: Col. M. C. Perceval-Price, Sir George Clark, Mr. Robert Perceval-Price, Mr. Fred Musgrave, Miss Joyce McFall, Miss E. Scott, Mr. S. Ross, Mr. J. Stewart, Mr. W. Robinette, Mr. D. Stephens, Mr. T. Lowry, Mr. A. Napier.

Referring to the new parish hall which was now nearing completion, the vicar said that he felt everyone would be delighted with the new hall. He thanked all those whose generous support had made the erection of the hall possible and while it was not possible to open the hall as planned on May 18, he hoped the new vestry would arrange the opening date in the not too distant future. He thanked Mrs. Woodrow for the tremendous help she had been to him in his work during the past year.

BALLYNAHINCH — Nearly 40 Ballynahinch youngsters were nursing sore feet on Friday night after marching ten miles to Saintfield and back. But they’re sure it was worth every blister. The youngsters were taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for their annual camp in Scotland this summer.

They all belong to the Congregational Church youth club in the town. This year, the club hopes to take about 45 children to Cumnock, where they will link up with a party of English children for a week under canvas. The amount of money raised is not yet known.

DOWNPATRICK — The recently formed Downpatrick Youth Movement set an all-time attendance record at St. Patrick’s Hall on Tuesday evening when they presented an ‘evening of folk.’ A crowd of almost 800 packed the renowned hall. Twelve different acts, masterfully produced by Mr. Joe Lyttle, held the massive audience for over four hours.

STRANGFORD — The Strangford Abbeyfield Society held its annual meeting last week at Abbeyfield House. Mrs. C. S. Porter, chairman of the House committee, gave an account of the visit by Mrs. Whitelaw, wife the Secretary of State, earlier in the year.

Great regret was expressed that Mrs. M. McBride, housekeeper in the Strangford home, was leaving. Mrs. McBride had been with the home since it first opened over four years ago.

NEWCASTLE — The chairman of Newcastle urban district council, Mr. A. P. Cairns, presented Queen’s Guide badges to Rosalind Smyth and Lyn McCracken, of 1st Newcastle Guide Company, at a Parents’ Evening in the Women’s Institute Hall on Friday evening. Mr. Cairns, in congratulating the girls, spoke of the work they had to do over a long period to gain the award.

KILLYLEAGH — There is a large number of entries for the Killyleagh, Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill Farming Society’s 157th horse show at the Showgrounds, Killyleagh tomorrow. Altogether, there are 26 different classes for horses and ponies.

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