From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 11, 1972

11 April 2012

SHRIGLEY — A 69 year-old Shrigley shopkeeper and his wife on Wednesday defied efforts to evict them from premises they have occupied for over twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fee, who until Easter Saturday operated the last shop in the old village, knew for the past five years they would some day have to move because of the redevelopment scheme.

“We never really raised any objections to moving, but I have not received one penny of compensation for my premises and until the East Down Rural Council does pay me I will not be moved,” Mr. Fee told the Recorder this week.”

Early that morning when officials arrived with a large removal van to vacate Mr. Fee’s premises they were refused entry. They remained near the premises for some hours, but later left in the evening.

“Mines was the last of the three shops that once operated in the village,” Mr. Fee explained. “The old Shrigley, but for a few dwellings, has been razed to the ground and everyone is now living on the other side of the road in a completely new village.

“About five years ago we were told the village was being redeveloped and that my shop, in common with other dwellings and premises, would have to be demolished. I was agreeable and while the council moved in and demolished most of the dwellings I remained in my shop and carried on business as usual until Easter Saturday night when I closed the doors for trade for the last time in 43 years.

“I was 23 years in this shop and around 20 in another in the village before that.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick police are following a definite line of inquiry in connection with a burglary which took place at the licensed premises of Mr. Aubrey Rea, Lower Market Street, over the Easter holidays. Thieves got away with a large quantity of spirits, valued in the region of £500, cigarettes and some cash.

They tried to open a safe containing a large amount of holiday takings, but were not successful. They left in a car belonging to a local businessman, Mr. Brendan Rodgers, which was garaged in Mr. Rea’s yard. The vehicle was later found abandoned about thirty miles from Downpatrick.

BALLYNAHINCH — Mr. Brian Faulkner may no longer be Prime Minister, but the fact that his stock in East Down is as high as ever was demonstrated clearly at a meeting of delegates of East Down Unionist Association in the Congregational Church Hall, Ballynahinch, at the weekend.

The ex-premier and Mrs. Faulkner were warmly applauded as they entered the hall. His address was given two standing ovations and later the meeting afforded him a typical East Down expression of confidence.

The meeting, called at short notice, was attended by a large number of delegates. At the outset, the Association’s chairman, Mr. J. P. Mackie, spoke of their pride at the manner in which Mr. Faulkner had represented them and the country in recent weeks.

Turning to Mr. Faulkner, he went on: “I would like you to know that we appreciate the difficult job you have to do. We realise the vivid disappointment you must have felt on your visit to Westminster and we admire the statesmanlike manner in which you have dealt with the crisis.”

SAINTFIELD — The new library and clinic complex at Ballynahinch Road, Saintfield, will be officially opened on Monday by Mr. George L. Wilson, chairman of Down County Education Committee. Situated adjacent to the old fairground, the building and fittings cost £40,000, excluding the expense of a 36-vehicle car park. A blue stone walled area encompassing a flower bed replaces the site where once stood a sycamore tree.

The library has been functioning since November and a scheme has been implemented to introduce children to the wonders or the bookshelves. Encouraged by their teachers, pupils who have visited the library include those from Saintfield Academy, Darragh Cross, Ballymagheramery, Ballycloughan, Lissowen, St. Joseph’s Crossgar, and St. Mary’s Saintfield

STRANGFORD — Strangford Sailing Club’s bid to start a Mirror dinghy class, which was thwarted by the two-day power strike last week, will be renewed next Thursday night in the clubhouse. The programme will include a film and talk on home-building from a kit — easy for a man with a handful of woodworking tools. Kits, complete with sails and all construction requirements, cost less than £80 and the complete boat is available for about £130.

The club has negotiated an arrangement with the class sponsors, the Daily Mail, for easy term payments. It is understood that the interest charges will not be passed on to the purchaser, so it won’t be the club’s fault if their effort fails.

BALLYNAHINCH — Five telephone kiosks in the Ballynahinch area have been badly damaged this week by vandals. Local police have launched an extensive search for the culprits. Anyone with information should contact Ballynahinch RUC, telephone 2222.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle, which has five times been voted ‘Best Kept Town’ in Northern Ireland, is entering this year’s competition run by the Central Gardens Association.

CROSSGAR — Derryboye Perseus, a young black labrador, bred by Mrs. Glossop, of Crossgar, and owned by Mr. Graham Roby, of Downpatrick, took the top places in the Junior Dog and Novice Dog classes at the Ulster Fox Terrier Club’s show. Perseus’s mother, Derryboye Blue Teal, came fourth in the Open Bitch section.

KILLINCHY — Downpatrick firemen dealt with a kitchen fire at a bungalow at Whiterock, Killinchy, yesterday morning.

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