From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 25, 1972

25 April 2012

DOWNPATRICK — Mr. Brian Faulkner, leader of the Unionist Party, and Captain L. P. S. Orr, leader of the Unionist MPs at Westminster, were asked a wide range of questions covering various subjects when they attended an open meeting organised by the Downpatrick branch of the East Down Unionist Association in the local Orange Hall on Thursday night last.

One delegate remarked that the Heath administration was having an unfortunate time with the trades unions and other organisations. The situation appeared to be on the verge of anarchy and he wanted to know what would happen if troops were withdrawn from Northern Ireland. “We would only have the Ulster Defence Regiment and the RUC. How will we defend ourselves in the event of civil war?” the questioner asked.

Mr. Faulkner said the question raised was a hypothetical one and he did not think a civil war would arise. Regarding the Ulster Defence Regiment, far too few people were prepared to give credit for the excellent work that body of men was doing.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle branch of the Association for Legal Justice has received a letter from the Northern Ireland Government Offices in London indicating that the Payment for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act, which was introduced to combat the rent strike against internment, will continue to be operated but with more consideration of possible hardship resulting in cases of people receiving supplementary benefit.

A spokesman for Newcastle ALJ said this week: “While any relaxation of this repressive act is welcomed the association still considers that until it is repealed, there will be many cases of injustice in the administration of benefits.”

Following the recent case where a man who called at Newcastle police station to report that his car had been stolen was held for some hours and then taken to Newry police station where he was roughly handled before being released, the Association for Legal Justice in Newcastle advises anyone with known anti-Unionist views who has occasion to call at a police station not to do so unaccompanied.

ARDGLASS — Strong protests at the removal of a collection of antiquities from Jordan’s Castle, Ardglass, to the Ulster Folk Museum at Cultra were made at a special meeting of Ardglass Town Committee this week.

Mr. Brian Fitzsimons, chairman, said: “The late Francis Joseph Biggar, who owned the 15th century castle and presented it and his collection to the nation, meant these articles to stay in Ardglass where he so much enjoyed himself.

“Furthermore, the castle museum was one of the few tourist attractions in the town. On the one hand, the Government describe this as an area of special natural beauty. On the other hand, they take away one of our attractions.”

Mr. W. McNeilly, Town Committee secretary, said he had been in touch with the ancient monuments department, The official position was that the castle was not suitable. Many relics were deteriorating badly and most of them needed full museum treatment.

BALLYNAHINCH — For the fifth year in succession the Plessey Co. Ltd., has earned pride of place as Britain’s most safety conscious company. British Safety Council Awards announced this week have been won by no fewer than 45 Plessey factories throughout the UK. One of the award-winning factories within the Plessey network is the Ballynahinch factory, which has achieved success for the fourth successive year.

MAGHERA — Three relatives were slightly injured when two cars collided at Maghera crossroads on Tuesday night. They are Miss M. Kane and Mrs. Theresa Kane, of Ballyginney, Dundrum, and Miss Maureen Kane, of Burrenbane, Castlewellan. The driver of the other car was Constable Gordon Walker, of Newcastle RUC station, who was injured.

KILLOUGH — A high speed inflatable rescue craft has arrived for trials at Killough coastguard station. It is expected to be operational for dealing with emergency work in a couple of weeks’ time. Initially it will be crewed by regular coastguards, but a panel of auxiliaries will be recruited in due course.

SAINTFIELD — Dr. J. S. McKelvey has been re-elected president of Saintfield Show Society. This year’s show will be held on June 17 and the society has plans to establish the show as the County Show of Down.

BRIGHT — Downpatrick firemen dealt with a hay shed fire at Quoniamstown, Bright, on Sunday. And on Monday they rushed to RAF Bishopscourt where their services were not needed.

CROSSGAR — A Crossgar farmer is a member of the team to represent the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster at the annual European rally for Young Farmers in Denmark in July. He is 25 year-old William R. Neill and the Ulster team is sponsored by the Northern Bank for the third year running.

William is a member of his local YFC and works on the family farm at Ballyalgin, Crossgar. Educated at Down High School, Downpatrick Technical College and Greenmount Agricultural College, he has been a Young Farmer for eight years. He has served his club in the capacity of club leader, assistant club leader, treasurer and press officer. He has been a lieutenant in Raffrey Company of the Junior Boys’ Brigade for the past seven years.

SEAFORDE — About 15 members of Seaforde Young Farmers’ Club helped in the Strangford Lough beach clean-up near Portaferry. After their three-mile ‘spring clean’, the young farmers were given refreshments by the Milk Marketing Board.

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