From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 18, 2001

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 18, 2001

14 April 2021

DOWNPATRICK – A major initiative which could lead to the closure of the Downe Hospital’s vaunted coronary care unit and seriously weaken the hospital campaign is being quietly developed by the Down Lisburn Trust.

The Trust wants to introduce a community thrombolysis scheme whereby GPs administer ‘clot-busting’ drugs to coronary patients in their homes before they are sped to a Belfast hospital, passing the Downe.

The scheme is being developed despite strident objections from the vast majority of the district’s GPs and despite serious concerns among the senior medical staff at the Downe. And an influential coronary care specialist based in Belfast has warned that closure of the Downe’s coronary care unit in favour of a thrombolysis initiative would significantly reduce the quality of care available to the district’s residents.

The coronary care unit is seen as the cornerstone of the current hospital campaign to provide lifesaving services in Downpatrick. If a way can be found to bypass the unit it is likely that all other acute services would be removed leaving the Downe as a large out-patient clinic.

KILLYLEAGH – Killyleagh Ulster Unionist councillor Sam Osborne is quitting local politics after almost a quarter of a century.

Mr Osborne confirmed last week he will not be defending his seat at the forthcoming local government elections in June.

The councillor announced his decision at a party meeting in the town last week when retired businessman, Dr Eddie Rea, was selected to defend the Ulster Unionist seat.

Mr Osborne joined Down Council in 1977 taking the seat held by his father, also called Sam. His decision to bow out of public life marks the end of the Osborne family’s 42-year association with local politics.

The seventy one year-old says it is time to make way for new blood and is looking forward to devoting more time to other things and taking life that little bit easier.

“After almost a quarter of a century it is time to step aside. I have had a ringside seat in local politics for a large part of my life and while I will miss the council, it is time to go,” he added.

SEAFORDE – The charming village of Seaforde could reap major benefits if listed as a designated conservation area, according to a senior official of the Ulster Architectural Society.

If granted conservation area status this would guarantee the preservation of the existing character and appearance of the historical village by monitoring all proposed developments and ensuring they preserve the appearance of the area.

Research officer at the society, Rita Harkin has said she believes the village is worthy of conservation status adding that she hoped it would be adopted in the new Down Area plan which considers planning developments in Down District over the next 15 years

Her comments come hot on the heels of opposition to plans to bull-doze an old building in the village in favour of new town houses and apartments.

Planners rejected the scheme last month, ruling the development would be out of keeping with the general character of existing premises in the Seaforde area.

BALLYNAHINCH – Plans to redevelop the old Market House in Ballynahinch have taken a major step forward this week.

Regeneration officials have submitted a formal application for planning permission for an ambitious redevelopment scheme which will create a new civic building.

The move comes a month after it was confirmed the sale of the building had finally been secured after several months of negotiation.

The Market House, which is adjacent to the town square, is one of the focal points in Ballynahinch and regeneration officials hope planning permission can be secured as soon as possible for the £730,00 project.

Construction work is expected to start almost immediately to provide the new centre which will comprise office space, tourist information point and youth facilities.

CASTLEWELLAN – Down District’s new police chief has confirmed Castlewellan RUC station is not to close.

At last week’s press briefing, Chief Superintendent Harry Cully said the limited opening station will remain open and play a key role in the new policing service in the area.

He also explained there are currently 200 officers working in the area, but warned the figures could reduced as the Patten proposals kick in.

Mr Cully said the new police service across the province will have less officers in the future which will require it to be more focused.

He explained while the RUC is set to loss 800 officers this year as part of Patten, he believes the new District Command Units will be successful. 

Mr Cully said the success of the new service depends on the support of the community and it is important the District Command Unit is focused on getting in tune with local people.

TYRELLA – Tyrella beach has once again been presented with the acclaimed Blue Flag award.

The local beach was one of over 300 across the United Kingdom which were recently awarded the prestigious title after meeting stringent standards in respect of access, cleanliness, water safety control of dogs, facilities and amenities, maintenance and information.

Inspections for the award were carried out last August and a total of 29 different checks, including one on the European legislation for water quality, resulted in 68 criteria which had to be satisfied.

At the recent awards ceremony, which was held in England, Down Council chairman, Mr Albert Colmer, and Councillor Peter Craig accepted the award on behalf of the district.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Colmer said the council was delighted Tyrella had once again been selected for the award.

KILLINCHY – As the long await for a community hall in Killinchy draws to an end, members of the group behind the new building has started to draw up an activity programme.

The new hall at Beechvale Road, which is expected to be finished at the beginning of May will end years of campaigning by the Killinchy and District Community Development Association.

And in an effort to kick-start activities at the hall, the association has entered into partnership with the North Down and Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education.

Together, the two bodies are carrying out a survey of the educational needs of the area.

NEWCASTLE – The fight against the tide of nature at Newcastle beach continued last week when contractor were called in to remove sand banks from the shore.

The contractors carry out work on the beach each spring as part of a programme aimed at redressing the drifts of sand along the shoreline.

Work underway includes the removal of a sand bar from the harbour entrance to facilitate access during the boating season as well as spreading built up sand walls along the beach at Central Promenade.

As efforts to improve the appearance of Newcastle beach continue, the Ulster Wildlife Trust has urged Stormont’s Environment Committee to establish a multi-agency body to shield the coastline throughout the Province from pollution.

CROSSGAR – A local councillor has called for additional Housing Executive properties to be built in the Crossgar and Saintfield areas.

SDLP representative Margaret Ritchie said the additional housing in both areas would be of crucial importance.

Speaking earlier this week Miss Ritchie said that over the past number of years there was a “substantial” waiting list for such homes in the Crossgar and Saintfield areas.

“One of the most important components of any housing policy should be the ability of all within the community to obtain a house in which to reside. That is not always possible when there is a substantial waiting list for such public authority houses,” she said.