From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 7, 1942

7 November 2012

ANNSBOROUGH — No decision has been made about the future of the Murland mill at Annsborough where yesterday morning’s fire put 100 people out of work. Police regard the cause as being malicious.

The outbreak was discovered at 2.25am and despite the efforts of five fire fighting crews from Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch and Rathfriland, the 32,000 sq. ft. factory was totally destroyed.

The firemen’s task was an impossible one as heavy machinery crashed from the first floor to the ground. Scorching heat turned the unburned wood to charcoal. The glow was seen as far away as Downpatrick. Twelve hours later firemen were steal dealing with smouldering debris.

Within half an hour of the fire being discovered many of the local workforce had gathered. As they watched their jobs go up in smoke they stood helpless but horrified.

Mr. Peter Larmor, director of the Ulster Weaving Company, said he was very disappointed at what had happened. “All the cloth produced by our companies is finished here. We also do all the bleaching and dyeing in Annsborough.

“When you look at the mess it is very difficult for anyone to know what happens next.”

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle councillor Richard Hall wants to know what has happened to local public spirit. “If more people came forward to the police with information about vandalism then there wouldn’t be quite so much of it, or such a fuss when the rates go up to pay for it,” he told Monday night’s meeting of Newcastle Urban Council.

Referring to the recent spate of destruction he said: “Somebody is bound to hear glass being broken, somebody is bound to know about it and could report it to the police. Mr. A. P. Cairns, chairman, said: “We have had problems like this over the years, but never has it been of such magnitude. When anything is brand as public property there appears to be a belief among some people that it’s there for anyone to break up.”

DOWNPATRICK — Strong fears have been expressed that the last remaining industrial training board course, in carpentry and joinery, will soon be removed from Downpatrick Technical College. Some say these fears are not unfounded considering that in 1969 a bricklaying course was transferred to a government training centre in Newry and another for motor vehicle mechanics was withdrawn as recently as August.

Staff members in the college have made known their feelings on the suspension of courses to the Ministry of Health and Social Services and to the Ministry of Education. The Youth Employment Service has added its protest, and this week it was decided that when a deputation from Downpatrick Urban Council meets the Minister of State on other matters, strong emphasis will be placed on the importance of providing industrial training courses in Downpatrick — designated a growth centre as far back as 1962.

ARDGLASS — A party of fishermen aboard a converted lifeboat were rescued off the coast near Ardglass on Sunday afternoon. The boat ran into mechanical trouble. Its flares were spotted by coastguards who launched a high speed inflatable rescue boat. Later, Ardglass man Dermot Robinson took out the fishing boat Faithful and towed the crippled boat home.

DRUMANESS — The Park House Inn, which opens at Drumaness next Thursday night, bids to be on the countryside’s top night-spots. The owner is 26 year-old Mr. Hugh Rice, whose family have owned the former spirit grocery business there since 1865.

The Park House Inn will be capable of accommodating about 250 people and Mr. and Mrs. Rice will have the help of up to six assistants to give an efficient service. Outside, a large park, capable of holding 150 cars, has been provided and people who know the spot will be glad to hear that a new and much safer entrance from the Ballynahinch-Newcastle Road has been constructed.

BALLEE — The Rev. Frank Want was ordained as minister of Ballee and Clough Non-Subscribing Presbyterian churches on Friday. A native of Kent, he was educated at the Unitarian College in Manchester and until recently was in charge of a group of four churches in Yorkshire. Married with three daughters and a son, he succeeds the Rev. G. R. Buckley, who was in charge of the churches for over 20 years.

Mr. Want is only the tenth minister in the long history of the Ballee congregation. The first was the Rev. Wm. Smyth, who came to the area in 1701 and remained until 1740. The congregation was founded in 1697 and the original meeting house was at Ballyclander.

PORTAFERRY — A noted photographer of great versatility will be Portaferry Camera Club’s guest at Monday’s meeting in the refurbished Market House, which is now a thriving community centre. He is Mr. Alan Jennings and his display of colour transparencies deals with the west of Ireland and is accompanied by an excellent taped commentary. The club meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Visitors are encouraged from East Down now that the vehicle ferry service has resumed.

BALLYNAHINCH — A jumble sale and cake fair in Harmony Hall on Saturday realised £100 for the funds of Ballynahinch Pipe Band. The success of the sale was just reward for the effort and work put in by Mrs. Rea, of Croob Park, and her helpers. The band members wish to express appreciation to them and to all who supported the sale by their gifts and attendance.

CASTLEWELLAN — A service of remembrance was held under the auspices of Castlewellan District LOL in St. Paul’s Church on Monday. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. F. Greer, rector, and a collection was taken in aid of the Earl Haig Fund.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s Christmas tree will occupy a site on Upper Irish Street this year and it is hoped that an interdenominational carol service will be held around it. The suggestion came from Mr. Terence McKee at Monday night’s meeting of the urban council and received unanimous backing.

CASTLEWARD — Castleward was once again the most popular National Trust property in 1972, attracting 21,012 visitors. Rowallane Gardens was the second most popular, with 12,826 visitors, and Mount Stewart was third in the most popular list, with 6,829 visitors. Altogether 57,060 people visited National Trust properties in Northern Ireland.

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