From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 6, 1993

From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 6, 1993

4 October 2023

KILLYLEAGH – A developer has pulled out of a deal to buy the former Killyleagh High School complex because he would have had to widen an access road.

It is believed the additional expense necessary to carry out the road work forced the developer to pull out of the deal, and now education chiefs have taken the site off the market.

Senior officials from the South Eastern Education and Library Board now concede that the narrow approach road to the shoreside complex is the largest stumbling  block to the sale of the former secondary school.

Anyone seeking to acquire the site for a hotel, nursing home or property development, will have to first carry out significant work to the access road from Shore Street at a substantial additional cost.

“The Roads Service is insisting that the access road is significantly improved and the additional cost is discouraging potential purchasers,” explained a Board spokesman.

“Over the holiday period one possible developer was talking about a purchase in hard terms but this fell through because of the road problem,” he added.

“Because of the narrow nature of the road it would require a great deal of money to carry out the work and this, along with the current recession, is making the sale of the complex difficult.”

BALLYNAHINCH – Up to 20 new jobs could be created in Ballynahinch if approval is given at a meeting tonight to press ahead with plans to establish a craft village in the town.

The proposal is to be tabled at tonight’s meeting of the town’s Chamber of Commerce by local councillor, Mr Billy Alexander, when the development of the town towards the year 2000 is also likely to top the agenda.

Mr Alexander also intends to table his plan before Down Council’s Partnership Group and is to ask local council officials to visit a craft village in Londonderry, to see exactly what is involved.

Economic recovery is a pressing issue in  Ballynahinch and the development of a craft village is also being viewed as a key element in the drive to attract more tourists to the town.

Mr Alexander said local people would have to grasp the initiative and help bring jobs to Ballynahinch, suggesting the development of  craft village would have a number of spin-offs.

“The establishment of a craft village in Ballynahinch will enhance the area and encourage more visitors to the town. It will also start the wheels moving in the machine to revitalise the economy,” said Mr Alexander.

ARDGLASS – The residents at Ardview House in Ardglass will be told in December whether or not they are to be thrown out of their home by the Eastern Health Board.

The residential home, which just three years ago was praised for its excellent facilities, has been earmarked for closure as the Down and Lisburn Unit of Management takes steps to reduce its bed capacity for the over 75s by 131.

Last Friday, a high-powered delegation from Down Council met with the Board chairman, Mr Norman Ferguson, and a number of other senior officers, to put forward a case for retaining residential services in the village.

The outcome of the meeting is due to be discussed by councillors on October 18. However, it has emerged that Board officials were left in no doubt about the depth of opposition to their plan to close the facility.

BISHOPSCOURT – One of the joint owners of the Bishopscourt racing circuit has offered to meet with anyone opposed to his plans in a bid to allay their fears.

Mr David Beattie, who has been involved in discussions with a number of people in the area for over a year, says he is concerned at the number of malicious rumours which are circulating in the area.

“I would like to make it clear once and for all there will not be rock concerts or rave parties held at Bishopscourt. The plan is to develop the former RAF base into a major leisure activity centre which can be used by everyone,” he declared.

Mr Beattie said he as prepared to meet those opposed to his plans “any time, any place, any where” to make sure that everyone was fully aware of what would be developed if the plans were given the go-ahead following the public inquiry.

“The speculation flying about the area is wild,” he declared. “I have outlined my plans to a number of people, but there are several who do not agree with a race circuit being located in the area and who refuse to discuss the matter with me.

“There was a drag racing meeting planned earlier this year but when I was informed that the group responsible were planning to have live music I pulled the plug on the event.”

DOWNPATRICK – Vandals are being blamed for causing over £1,500 worth of damage at Downpatrick Racecourse last Friday morning during what has been described as “an orgy of violence”.

A number of doors and windows were smashed, leaving course officials with a hefty repair bill and a major clearing-up operation.

However, course registrar, Mr Iain Duff, says that the vandals will not disrupt work to improve facilities at the Downpatrick track which is due to hold its next meeting on November 10.

A large plate glass window in the Supporter’s Club bar was smashed during the attack and windows and doors in a toilet block and kitchen area were also vandalised.

“There have been a number of vandal attacks over the past few years but the most recent one has cost us quite a lot of money,” explained Mr Duff.

“Ironically, there was little trouble this summer and just when we thought that we had escaped any serious incidents, this has to happen.”

The course registrar also made it clear that there was absolutely nothing of value at the course.

CARRYDUFF – Speculation is growing that Killynure House in Carryduff is safe from closure provided it can deliver a wider range of residential care services.

Last Tuesday a statement that the home’s “respite care” facility would stay was made by Hugh Connor, the Assistant General Manager of the South and East Belfast community unit. 

No further details were released but this week, a spokesman for the Eastern Board said instead of closure, the home could find itself functioning as a “resource centre”.

“We have been consulting generally on this issue of over-provision in this area, with a view to realigning the level of service with regards to the future need,” said the spokesman. 

“While making it clear no decision will be reached until an Eastern Board’s meeting on October 14,” he added. 

“Killynure may function as  resource centre and provide residential care in respect of various categories of elderly peoples’ needs.”

DUNDRUM – A 19 year-old Dundrum singer looks set to make her own distinctive mark in the competitive world of country and western music.

Newcomer Laura-Lei is poised to spring into the showbiz spotlight after being taken under the wing of celebrated country singer Crawford Bell.

To date, Laura-Lei’s track record has only consisted of a number of charity show appearances in County Down, but after Crawford Bell heard the local girl sing, he was astonished by her talent.. and now things are starting to happen for the teen songstress.

Under the guidance of local manager, Paddy Smyth, Laura-Lei recently made a demo tape at Crawford’s studios in Carryduff, and afterwards the veteran performer was persuaded to listen to her music. 

“Crawford listened in silence while we played the tape,” recall Paddy, “and after we switched it off, he said ”You’ve really got a number one singer there.”

Crawford Bell was booked for a how in Omaha a short time later, so he called Laura-Lei and asked her to join him on the bill. She jumped at the chance.