From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 1, 1975

1 April 2015

ARDGLASS — As the long sought after fish mart takes shape on the edge of Ardglass harbour, there are growing fears of a massive sales slump developing at the height of the herring season — the industry’s traditional boom time.

The fears are based on what are being termed as strong possibilities of fish being landed elsewhere because of the harbour’s lack of deep water to accommodate any more than a h handful of boats at all states of the tide.

Ardglass has been the top-price marketing centre for Ulster fish landings for generations. Although only a handful of fishing vessels are based in Ardglass compared with Kilkeel’s 60 and a similar number at Portavogie, sales figures for last year show the importance of the Ardglass market. Ardglass sales were a tiny fraction below Kilkeel’s £670,000 and double the figure for Portavogie.

Within the industry itself there are 100 people employed ashore at Ardglass all the year round. Although herrings are available for most the year, the height of the season extends from July to October and at this time there can be as many as 200 jobs available.

The Fishery Harbour Authority is understood to be most anxious to maintain the Ardglass market’s supreme position. But without money there is little it can do but watch what develops.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar Choral Society will be presenting their ‘Minstrel Show’ in the town’s War Memorial Hall on April 8-9. The show, which will be produced by Angela Bradley, contains more than two hours of music in the fast-moving ‘easy listening’ category. Tickets are available from any committee member.

NEWCASTLE — An enthusiastic and well attended meeting of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce on Monday night finally scotched recent rumours that the chamber was likely to fold up in the near future.

Numbers had more than trebled from the last dismal meeting and it was learned that a renewed interest had been shown by all traders in the problems which had best the chamber recently.

Mr. A. P. Cairns proppsed that the chamber throw its weight behind those campaigning for government action to aid the self-employed person. It was also decided to write to Down District Council requesting them to replace the town street maps at the bus station at the Annesley Mansions.

SAINTFIELD — There was a large attendance at First Saintfield Presbyterian Church congregational social on Monday night when farewell presentations were made to the Rev. Roy Magee and his family.

Mr. Magee, who has ministered at Saintfield for four-and-a-half years, has been called by the congregation of Dundonald Presbyterian Church.

DUNDRUM — Dundrum’s annual regatta will be held in the second week of the ‘Twelfth Fortnight.’ This year’s event will take place on July 24-26 and the format will see the wine and cheese party on the Thursday, the regatta on Friday and the sports day on Saturday.

The outgoing secretary, Mr. Russ Whatmough, told members of the regatta committee at their annual meeting on Monday evening that he hoped the event would be as successful as last year. The success of the regatta, he said, was due to many people, including the regular patrons and the business community of the town and the surrounding area.

The following officers were elected at the meeting: Mr. Whitely, vice-commodore; Mr. D. J. McNeill, chairman; Mr. J. Johnston and Mr. J. Kielty, treasurers; Mr. R. Whatmough, secretary; Mr. Kielty and Mr. Forsythe, assistant secretaries.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick young farmer Alan Cleland proved this week that he is among Ulster’s best when he walked away with the annual YFCU ‘Farm Talk-in’ with several awards.

With 725 points to his credit, Alan was just 24 points short of becoming Ulster’s Young Farmer of the Year and was beaten into third place.But there was some consolation for the Downpatrick contender. He was a clear winner of the Pigs marketing Board Trophy in the pigs section and with a cash bonus from the major competition he didn’t go home empty-handed.

KILMORE — It has been a record year for Kilmore Presbyterian Church. Not only was there an upward trend in attendances at public worship and an increase in contributions to all aspects of church work, but most of the church’s organisations have continued to thrive.

At the congregation’s annual meeting, Mr. Jack McRobert, presenting the Kirk session’s report, stated that attendants at services were up and commented on the increase in subions. He thanked the Rev. Dr. W. D. Bailie, and his wife for their involvement in every aspect of the congregation.

Dr. Bailie congratulated the members of the congregation on having once more exceeded the target of honour for missions, the record contribution to the Orphan Society and Christian Aid, and paid tribute to those who kept the church, grounds and hall in such splendid condition.

SPA — Spa Young Farmers’ Club held their annual parents and friends night recently in the Arnold Hall, Spa, when the club leader welcomed everyone present. The younger members opened with a musical item and this was followed by a one-act play. After supper, Mrs. A. Smyth, secretary, erad a very satisfactory report on the events of last year.

Congratulations were extended to the following members: Karen Wallace, who won the Co. Down Cup for public speaking and gained access to the NI finals; Margaret Campbell,, who finished sixth in the finals of the homemakers competition, and David Dodd, John Knipe and Robert Patterson, who gained the fourth team place at the area group debating competition.

CASTLEWELLAN— St. Malachy’s Secondary School, Castlewellan, captured the NI netball league at the weekend when they toppled St. Brigid’s, Portadown, 10-9 in the final at Carolan Grammar School, Belfast.

This completed a successful season for the team who recently won the Co. Down league by defeating Scrabo Secondary School, Newtownards, 25-3 at Ballynahinch Secondary School. The team were successfully coached by Olivia McEvoy and Deirdre Kane.

TYRELLA — Downpatrick firemen were called to Tyrella Rectory on Friday night when the chimney caught fire at the home of the Rev. James Stewart.

JOBS — Almost 800 local people are without a job, according to the latest figures issued this week by the Department of Manpower Services.

The gloomiest spot of all is Newcastle where 291 of the insured population (8.2 per cent) are unemployed. On the other side of the coin, the Ballynahinch area has the lowest percentage of unemployed in Northern Ireland, the overall average of 2.5 per cent meaning that 68 men and 59 women are without a job, well below the 6.8 per cent average for the province.

The Downpatrick unemployment figures have remained constant since Christmas at 5.2 per cent. A total of 384 are without a job. Crossgar, Killyleagh, Killinchy, Strangford, Ardglass, Killough and Ballykinlar are included in the Downpatrick area.

RALLYING — Newcastle driver Fred Wadsworth has come a long way since his early rally days. Today he lines up with 138 other drivers the starting post in Ballymena for yet another 1,350 gruelling miles in the Circuit of Ireland international rally.

Fred, who will be driving the ex-Lombard Ulster Escort formerly driven by Rosemary Smith, is hoping for better luck this time, but he admits he is going in the right direction, having finished fifth in his class and among the top ten in most of the special stages last year.

Fred said he would be very pleased if he could finish in the top 20 this year . “There is a lot of difficult competition.”

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