From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 16, 1992

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 16, 1992

14 December 2022

CASTLEWELLAN – The £1m regeneration of Castlewellan will be launched later this morning as part of a double Christmas package for the market town.

The International Fund for Ireland is grant aiding the regeneration scheme for the town which is also being designated a conservation area by the Department of the Environment.

Much of the town’s historic centre will benefit from the scheme which include a core project to refurbish derelict buildings in the Upper Square and Castle Street areas.

Under the conservation designation, the future development of Castlewellan, which is the fourth Down District town to be targeted for protection, will be closely monitored and controlled to safeguard its heritage.

Welcoming this morning regeneration launch and conservation designation, Castlewellan councillor, Mr Eamonn O’Neill, said he hoped to see something positive on the ground as soon as possible.

Mr O’Neill, who is chairman of the town’s regeneration committee, said the announcement was just reward for the hard efforts of so many people over the past two years.

“We experienced several disappointments along the way, but were always optimistic that we would receive the cash under the CRISP initiative.

“Now we have been given the money and the town designated a conservation area, the real work begins in earnest,” he added.

The £1m cash injection from the Fund’s CRISP initiative will have a significant impact on a number of areas in the town. Around half the money will be used on a core project of refurbishment while the remainder will go towards a number of improvement schemes.

There are also plans to provide two new shops, a restaurant and cafe, along with a new craft development centre at the Grange courtyard in the grounds of the town’s Forest Park.

A new equestrian centre is to be established at Wood Lodge and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is planning to redevelop a number of houses at Mill Street.

Down Divisional Mr John Clelland, said the improvement package had been specifically designed to give Castlewellan a higher profile.

Down Divisional Planning Officer, Mr John Clelland, said the improvement package had been specifically designed to give Castlewellan a higher profile.

COUNCIL – In-house bids will be supported by Down Council when its services are put up for compulsory competitive tendering.

In a policy statement unveiled this week, the council said it will invest in and support in-house teams as being the best suppliers of services to the ratepayers.

However, the statement also warned that in order to achieve this objective it is important that everyone works together to enhance and maintain the quality of services.

The council also said that it naturally follows that in-house employees must provide quality cost-effective services.

The policy statement adds: The council is committed to the view that good service and good employment practices are complementary and wish to emphasise that any changes necessary in preparation for compulsory competitive tendering should not be without regard to sound employment practice.

“In order to ensure that the council continues to retain services in-house it will however be necessary to improve effectiveness and efficiency,” adds the statement.

“This will remain in different working practices and the possibility of less staff or existing staff undertaking new or additional tasks.”

The council statement says it is important it has the co-operation and commitment of its employees and consequently regular and wide ranging consultation will take place.

DOWNPATRICK  – Downpatrick’s former livestock mart is to be taken over by the East Downshire builders’ merchants company.

The East Downshire, which currently occupies premises beside the former livestock yard in lower Market Street, is planning to add the yard onto its existing premies.

The old market house, currently occupied by Downtown Motors, will become the offices and builders hardware shop of the new East Downshire complex.

The manager of the East Downshire in Downpatrick, Mr Cecil Lennon, said that the changes will transform the service which the company gives to its customers.

“Because of our present restricted yard our business has had to specialise in a reliable and fast delivery service,” he commented. “Now we can really develop our calling trade business.

“Those customers who used to get so frustrated with our long and narrow entrance will be amazed and delighted at the changes we have planned.”

The takeover of the mart yard is expected to involve several months’ work, but Mr Lennon said: “There should be almost no disruption to our existing trade in the meantime.”

East Downshire Ltd is a member of the well known Corry Group of companies. Formerly based in Dundrum, the firm has branches in Ballynahinch and Downpatrick.

A spokesman for the group said: “At a time when most companies are cutting back or closing down, East Downshire’s plans are a welcome declaration of confidence in the county town.”

KILLYLEAGH – Central heating is to be installed in Killyleagh’s Comber Road estate, South Down MP Eddie McGrady has revealed.

Mr McGrady, who has been campaigning for some time to have central heating installed in the Castle Gardens estate, explained that the Housing Executive has identified the Comber Road estate as a priority area for improvements.

“This will include the installation of full central heating with work planned to commence in March 1994 subject to the availability of finance,” said Mr McGrady.

“I will continue to monitor the implementation of this programme very closely indeed,” he added. “The houses in the Comber Road estate in Killyleagh require immediate improvement. They are particularly cold and the kitchens are very small.”

BALLYNAHINCH – The standard and quality of care being delivered at Ballynahinch’s Montalto medical surgery is improving daily, thanks to the generosity of local people.

Last week, several presentations were made to the surgery’s GPs by a number of local groups.

Dr John Bassett was presented with a stainless steel operating table, various medical instruments  and an operating lamp by a number of people who got together to raise funds.

Ballynahinch High School pupils also joined in the fundraising effort and presented Dr Richard Harrison with a set of foetal dopplers, essential pieces of equipment which are used for monitoring the heartbeats of unborn babies.

And soldiers of the 3rd Co Down Battalion of the Royal Irish Rangers presented the surgery with a sterilisation unit worth over £1,500.

Six doctors and 13 nursing and administrative staff are based at the hi-tech centre which is situated in the grounds of the town’s Montalto Estate and they have been delighted with the generosity of the townspeople.

Dr Harrison also revealed this week that an appeal fund, launched earlier they year to raise money for an ultra-sound scanner, had realised over £4,000.

“If we managed to raise another £2,000 then we will be able to purchase the scanner to add to our growing list of specialised equipment at the surgery,” he said.

“We are constantly improving the stand and quality of care we are able to deliver and the local people of Ballynahinch have been a tremendous help. They have been extremely kind, particularly during the past number of months.

“The surgery is going from strength to strength and our aim is to provide for the people of Ballynahinch, the best service available.”