DOWNPATRICK — Three Downpatrick men avoided spending Wednesday night in an open boat on a river mudflat thanks to the keen eye of a passer-by half a mile away and more than two hours’ work by local policemen. They are Paul Raymond Rooney (24), of Ardpatrick Avenue, Patrick McCarthy (17), of Lynn Doyle Place, and Peter Pleasants (17), of Fountain Street.
They had been out for a walk by the Quoile river near Inch Abbey and had taken to a small rowing boat in the early afternoon. The boat became stuck on a mudflat upstream of the abbey ruins and in the vicinity of the marsh visible only from the road behind the courthouse. They used all the available timber in the boat to push themselves free, but as the mud around them was more than six feet deep they could not dare leave the boat.
Their frantic efforts were noticed by Mr. James Kearney, Annacloy, who contacted the police. Constables Fred McNair and Joseph Cromie found it impossible to help the men from the muddy river bank by the marshes. They had to set off in a Land Rover three miles by road to the other side of the river and on the way borrowed a canoe from Down High School and a long rope.
Constable Cromie, accompanied by Mr. George Patterson, the high school caretaker, took the Land Rover on a dangerous course by the edge of the marsh near the school playing fields to a point 50 yards from the marooned men. Meanwhile, Constable McNair paddled out in the canoe to fasten the rope to the rowing boat. All attempts to pull it clear failed and in the end it had to be hauled off by the Land Rover.
BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch Chamber of Commerce feels that the present allocation of playing fields for the town is far from adequate. It also considers there is a need for additional car parking facilities.
Mr. D. Bonnar, presiding at last week’s meeting, welcomed Mr. Robinson, secretary of the Ministry of Development, who spoke in detail of how business people were being affected by the present troubles.
Mr. D. Walshe outlined proposals for the provision of a 25-metre swimming pool and large community hall and it was agreed these would prove valuable assets to the town.
DRUMANESS — A number of young people in Drumaness have formed a youth club in an attempt to provide much needed recreational facilities in the area. Members will be eligible from 14 years onwards and meetings will be held in the local Recreational Hall. A junior committee was elected recently and the members are: Collette McEvoy, Roisin Walsh, Margaret Doherty, Patsy McGreevy, Brendan Gelston, Bobby Willis, Gerard Brennan and Michael Boyd. An adult advisory committee has also been formed.
“The primary reason for forming a youth club is because it is difficult to take young people to Ballynahinch where the nearest youth club is,” says committee member Bobby Willis.
SEAFORDE — Miss Lydia de Burgh, the Seaforde portrait painter, gave an enlightening talk entitled ‘The stately homes of Ireland’ in the J. H. McCammon Hall last night. The proceeds were in aid of Seaforde Parish Church funds.
Miss de Burgh showed coloured slides of Caledon, Ballywalter Park, the home of Lord Dunleath, Castleton House, Co. Kildare, owned by the Irish Georgian Society, Tynan Abbey, home of Sir Norman Stronge, ex-Speaker at Stormont, Castle Upton, home of Sir Robin Kinahan, Birr Castle, owned by Lady Rosse, mother of the Earl of Snowdon, and Mountstewart, the property of the National Trust.
DUNDRUM — The Dundrum Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul held a successful cake and variety sale in the Aquinas Hall on Friday evening. The magnificent sum of £275 was realised from the sale, ballot and generous subions from the public.
The many stalls were stacked with a great variety of edible fare. All goods were donated by the villagers of Dundrum and Clough and the conference would like to express its sincere thanks to all concerned. An entertaining evening was rounded off with valuable prizes being raffled. Miss Rita Flynn was in charge of the ticket selling and Mr. C. Brown was an able M.C.
DOWNPATRICK — Dr. Robert Dougal, medical superintendent of Downshire Hospital, has been appointed a foundation Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. A Belfast man, Dr. Dougal was educated at St. Malachy’s College and Queen’s University, and spent a short time in Ards Hospital before coming to Downpatrick in 1940.
He became superintendent in 1968, succeeding Dr. W. P. Berrington, and a year later was admitted to fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He specialises in clinical psychiatry and his work takes him to many centres within the United Kingdom and Ireland.
CASTLEWELLAN — Major Terence Johnston, of Wild Forest, Castlewellan, who died last week after a lingering illness, was one of the few people in Northern Ireland to hold a fellowship of the Royal Horticultural Society. He was in his late sixties. An enthusiastic gardener, he was recognised as an authority on the subject and was a valued member of the National Trust’s Gardens Committee.
A member of the Downpatrick Hospitals Management Committee since 1952, he maintained a lively interest in patients’ welfare and at the time of his death was chairman of the Downpatrick Museum Committee and a former secretary of East Down Foxhounds. He is survived by his wife, Katharine.
NEWCASTLE — Newcastle girl guides held a successful jumble and variety sale in the Shimna Hall, Newcastle, on Friday, and they wish to thank most sincerely all those who helped, especially Mrs. Purdy, who presented an attractive lamp shade, which was won by Mr. James Trotter, the Forest Park, Castlewellan; Mrs. A. P. Cairns, who made jam and marmalade; and Mr. F. Cope, who took charge of the admission.
KILLYLEAGH — Members of Killinchy YFC were able to see themselves in action on Tuesday when a film taken at last year’s County Down rally at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, was shown. It showed the various competitions in which the members took part, including Killyleagh’s float, ‘Doctor in Charge.’ Mr. Brian Morrison thanked Mr. Norman Smyth for the use of his film equipment.