From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 20, 1971

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 20, 1971

20 May 2015

CASTLEWELLAN — Castlewellan needs a community centre. That was the message given by the Town Committee to East Down Rural Counci’s architect, Mr. George Sampson, when he attended the monthly meeting on Monday night.

Referring to the proposed purchase of the Market House, which the owner, Mr. G. F. Annesley, is willing to sell for £4,500, Mr. Sampson informed members that he had to make certain there was a positive need for the facility.

The Rev. James Bridgett stated that the local Presbyterian Church hall was in use every night of the week and sometimes there was competition for the use of the hall. “if I had my way I would demolish the Market House so we could have a brand new, up to date centre,” he said.

“We have a wonderful site in the Forest Park and often visitors, or an excursion party, telephone me to ask if there is a hall available where tea could be served. A hall was also needed for dancing and social functions.”

The Rev. R. F. Greer, Church of Ireland rector, agreed, while Fr. P. Donnelly said there appeared to be two questions — did Castlewellan need a community centre and what was to be done with the Market House?

Mr. Frank Lennon, Town Committee chairman, said: The Protestants don’t want to go to the parochial hall and the Catholics don’t want to attend functions in other church halls. In this day and age we should have a hall to which everyone can go.”

BALLYNAHINCH — For the second year in succession Ballynahinch Civic Week was graced with excellent weather and what a successful festival it turned out to be.

Many people in the area had been apprehensive at the start, feeling that civic weeks were ‘played out’ but the success of this year’s event proved their fears to be without foundation, and it would now appear that a civic week is part of the local scene.

And when the bouquets are being passed out one is definitely due to the energetic and hard-working committee who gave freely of their time for weeks in advance to make the week enjoyable for everyone.

DOWNPATRICK — The women of Downpatrick’s Bridge Street threaten to organise a road blockade unless the authorities sort out the parking chaos which they claim is interfering with access to they homes and to their children’s safety.

“We went to the Urban Council to complain about it, but they sent us to the police,” Mrs. B. Mulholland said. “The police sent us back to the council and we were told the matter would be put through the proper channels.

The fact that Bridge Street is now only a cul-de-sac annoys Mrs. G. Carberry, Mrs. G. Wade and Mrs. H. Young, who point out that it was once on the main road from Belfast to Dublin.

“It’s often impossible to get our own cars in our out,” they said. There are five car owners in Bridge Street and they use what was meant to be an open play area for children as a parking spot.

“It’s not fair. We will show them than anything is not good enough for Bridge Street. We’ll blockade them in so they can’t get out.”

The women told the Recorder that they were “sick and tired of being treated as second class citizens” and would withhold their rents until the situation had been alleviated.

They claim that traffic congestion almost stopped a funeral. “A man can’t even die in peace and yesterday morning two young children were almost killed by a motorist manoeuvring his car.”

KILCLIEF — The new £40,000 St. Malachy’s Church, Kilclief, was blessed by the Most Rev. Dr. Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor on Sunday The bishop was welcomed by the parish priest, Fr. J. P. McCloskey, and Fr. M. Dillon, C.C. Earlier in the day the bishop had confirmed 55 children in the Stella Maris Church, Strangford.

Fr. McCloskey thanked all who had contributed to the erection of the church and recalled that the first contribution to the cost was £7 and two shillings raised by local schoolchildren who organised a concert among themselves.

 The new church replaces an older building erected in 1785. Mr. Charles Moore is the architect of the new church which has been designed to reflect the rural atmosphere of its setting.

ARDGLASS — Rosemary Donnan, a 14 year-old from Ardglass, has walked more miles recently than most people walk in a lifetime. Being concerned about life and conditions in poorer countries, she has helped to raise funds which went towards buying two ambulances and a host of medical equipment for South America.

A pupil at Down High School, she has taken part in a sale of work, fashion shows and collecting wastepaper for which a target of £2,000 was set, reached and surpassed. On her last walk, which took in Crossgar, Killyleagh, Downpatrick and back to Crossgar, Rosemary raised a fantastic £25. We can only say, well done Rosemary!

BALLEE — When Ballee Non-subscribing Presbyterians celebrate the 250th anniversary of the building of their meeting house on Sunday, the ure lessons will be read by two men whose ancestors were closely involved with the occasion in 1721.

They are Mr. David Chambers, descendant of one of the signaturies on the original indenture for the transfer of land, and Mr. David McKeown, Crossgar, whose great grandfather was minister of the congregation.

The congregation was founded in 1697 and the original meeting house was at Ballyclander. The present building was substantially renovated in 1890 when its thatched roof was removed, the walls raised and the present beamed roof, one of its excellent, features was constructed.

KILLYLEAGH — The leaders of 1st Killyleagh Scout Group are to be congratulated on the competent display which they staged at a recent parents’ night when Mr. Norman Smyth, group scout master, presided. The scouts nave made excellent progress under their new young leaders, David Carter, Derek Martin, Russell Hagan and Donald Carlisle.

The cub scouts, in the very capable hands of Miss Rachel Lawther and her energetic assistants, Maxine Rea, Irene Kelly and Ingrid Dougan, showed their football skill and brought a cup final atmosphere to the proceedings. The beavers delighted everyone with their rendering of ‘Forty-Niner’, as well as encouraging the parents on to the floor to participate in the games.

CROSSGAR — The 32-page booklet commemorating the centenary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Crossgar is to be commended as a most readable collection of historical fact, traditions and folk memory relating the parish of Kilmore.

It has been compiled by Mr. James Cahill, a native of the parish and one who in his career has come closely in touch with the countryside. Unilke many collectors of legends and traditions, he has refused temptation to add to or alter the fare he has provided.

Mr. Cahill deserves credit not only for his labour in collecting his material, but still more for the accuracy with which he has presented it. He has recalled personal memories and those of others as he has recalled human beings from the edge of the grave for they were in great danger of being lost to memory now that the ceilidhings of other days are no more.

KILLOUGH — A successful coffee party and bring and buy sale held at Ballygilbert House, Killough, the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. McDowell, raised £125 for the repair and equipment for the newly acquired scout camping site in Downpatrick.

Scouts from Downpatrick, Strangford, Inch and Killyleagh, and cubs from Ardglass assisted with the evening’s entertainments which included bran tub, pony rides, cake, jumble and garden produce stalls. Mr. Cockfield, from Inch Scout troop, lent the ponies.

ANNSBOROUGH — At the May meeting of Annsborough Women’s Institute, the last in the present session, Miss Margaret Blackwood welcomed Miss Margaret Ginn, of Newcastle, who gave an interesting talk on the development of Mourne. The competition for any article of craftwork was won by Mrs. M. Ross, of Castlewellan, who presented a beautifully crocheted super cloth.