From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 2, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 2, 1974

2 April 2014

DOWNPATRICK — A start will be made on the building of 400 houses at Downpatrick’s Model Farm site in June. The first batch of 47 will be ready for allocation a year later.

The Model Farm site lies opposite the 400-house Ballyvange site on the Killough Road and by the time building is complete between 3,500 and 4,000 people will be living in that area. The estate will include shops, a community centre and health and social services facilities.

Addressing a meeting of the Social and Democratic Labour Party’s Downpatrick branch, Mr. Edward McGrady said that recreation within the estate, as distinct from sports activities, would be catered for by provision of a large green area for children, as well as several smaller play units for toddlers.

A large amount of money would be spent on landscaping the whole estate to make it attractive from the physical point of view. The roads would be suitable for the town bus service. Mr. McGrady was hopeful that the Housing Executive would provide a Post Office facility to facilitate payment of rents by Giro and provide the usual services.

BALLYNAHINCH — Thomas Kelly & Company, one of the largest distributors in the paint and paper business in Northern Ireland, will open their new showroom in Ballynahinch on Monday morning.

There will be a champagne reception for all customers between 10 o’clock and lunchtime. The guest of honour will be Mr. Eric B. Buckmaster, sales director of Crown Products Group, UK.

Kelly’s carry 2,000 wallpaper patterns and thousands of gallons of paint in their new self-selection store at Dromore Street. Their team of representatives and fleet of lorries serve retail shops throughout the province and in order to maintain supplies they have just opened a 30,000 sq. ft. store.

PORTAFERRY — Lord Dunleath has asked that top priority be given to the long disused provision of an off-street public car park in Portaferry so that the town’s security can be improved by the establishment of a traffic control zone.

In the Assembly he told Mr. Bradford, the minister, that the Castle Gardens scheme and other alternatives had been considered over a long period. As a result of recent bombings, Portaferry had been shown to be wide open to attack.

He asked: “Could I ask the minister if he is aware that when certain plans, which we hope will come to fruition, for a marine biology aquarium and other tourist amenities are implemented, further car parking space will be needed quite apart from that needed by residents who now have to park in the streets?”

Mr. Bradford replied: “Yes, I am aware of the urgency of the matter, especially regarding the removal of cars parked in the streets because of security considerations. The divisional roads manager in my department is prepared to undertake the provision of a car park and to give it top priority.”

NEWCASTLE — Members of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce were pleased to learn at Monday night’s meeting that the usual summer entertainments are to be provided this year. It was also reported that the car park behind the station would be available for the season and that the ground at the front of the park was being repaired.

Before proceeding with summer advertising, the chamber felt that as many local business people as possible should be given the opportunity to express their views. A circular is being presented for this purpose. It is hoped that replies will be returned to the chamber in time for the next meeting.

CASTLEWELLAN — The second annual meeting of the Castlewellan Combat Cancer Group was held in the Child Health Clinic, Castlewellan. The chairman, Mrs. M. Connolly, warmly welcomed group members, new members and introduced the visitors who included Mrs. M. Wood, Director of the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

The chairman gave her annual report and thanked office bearers, committee, group and friends for support and loyalty during the past year. She went on to say that with their enthusiasm, motivation and drive, she felt the group would grow from strength to strength and that as long as cancer remained unconquered the Ulster Cancer Foundation could be certain of the Group’s co-operation.

DARRAGH CROSS — Three Belfast men were jailed for nine years each at the City Commission for a pipe bomb attack on Mageean’s public house at Darragh Cross. A woman customer was injured when the bomb, containing nails, was thrown through the bar window last June.

Anyone near the bomb when it landed could have been killed, the court heard. When the three men pleaded guilty to the charge of malicious wounding, the prosecution withdrew an attempted murder charge.

CROSSGAR — Miss Marie Hanvey, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Hanvey, Killyleagh Street, Crossgar, has been successful in the recent final examination for State Registration.

Marie, who is already a registered mental nurse, completed her general training in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, She has now returned to a post of staff nurse in Purdysburn Hospital.

SAINTFIELD — At the weekly cattle sale held by Saintfield Livestock Mart Ltd., another mart record was established when 881 cattle went under the hammer. At the weekly pig sale a large turnout of store pigs met a quieter trade, although quality stock was in shorter supply than recently.

KILLINCHY — At the last official meeting of Killinchy Young Farmers’ Club, some of the members took part in an entertaining and, at times, exciting treasure hunt organised by club leader Max Ervine and secretary Katie Birch. Most of the participants finished the course in one-and-a-half hours, having motored their way through Tullynagee, Killynether, Tullynegardy and finally to Bangor.

Having collected the required number of unusual objects, the young farmers made their way to the Scandia, complete with daffodil buttonholes, where supper was enjoyed by all.

BALLYHORNAN — A teenage girl, who was involved in a dance brawl with two adults at Ballyhornan on October 21 last year, was given a conditional discharge for twelve months when she appeared at Downpatrick Juvenile Court.

Mr. Michael O’Kane, appearing for the girl, said she had been trying to separate the adults in a fight and was called a lot of rude names for her trouble. Mr. Martin McBirney, RM, agreed that the incident appeared to be out of character.

SPA — More than £80 was raised for Leukaemia research at a dance in the Spa Roadhouse on Friday. Music was by the Old Tyme Fiddlers and Mr. Billy Murdock, from Downpatrick, was the MC. Mrs. Ruby Gibson organised the dance and with friends served refreshments.

MOURNES — Brigadier Ronald Broadhurst expressed disappointment in the Assembly that only five thousands acres of forest have been planted in the high and central area of the Mourne mountains. He had been told that another two thousand acres would be a reasonable figure for the area.

RUGBY — Down High won their first ever schools rugby trophy at Ravenhill when they convincingly annexed with Subsidiary Shield with a 9-4 victory over holders Portadown College. There was never any doubt about where the shield was going as Down, beaten finalists in 1971, took control the start and maintained their grip throughout.

The Subsidiary Shield for schools beaten in the first round of the Schools Cup has always been noted for entertaining finals and the locals, with a strong party of supporters, certainly made sure that this year would be no exception. Down High’s scores came from an Ian Morrow try, converted by Trevor Henderson, and a goal by Ted Magowan.