From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 29 1971

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 29 1971

29 April 2015

BALLYKINLAR — Two members of the 3rd Queen’s Regiment, Ballykinlar Camp, had a lucky escape when a Humber one ton armoured vehicle left tyne road at Glovett on the Ballydonnell Road, near Tyrella, and sank into eight feet of water.

The men, Privates Forbes and Costan, were returning to Ballykinlar at the time. A vehicle they were following was forced to break sharply on approaching a flooded stretch of the roadway and their own vehicle, when taking avoiding action, crashed through a hedge and overturned.

An eye witness, Mr. Seamus O’Neill, who lives nearby, said: “I saw the vehicle go over the the hedge and the driver his passenger certainly made quick work in getting out before it sunk. They were certainly extremely lucky.”

The following day soldiers from Ballykinlar assisted by Royal Navy frogmen recovered the vehicle and for most of the time the road was closed to traffic.

This road has been susceptible to flooding during recent winters and last weekend’s unusually heavy rain made it hazardous. Floodwater also covered an extensive area of adjoining land.

Mr. O’Neill, who lives quite near, had been virtually marooned for four days as a laneway to his house was flooded to such a depth that it was impossible for him to leave by car.

ARDGLASS — Support for this year’s Ardglass festival has proved very tepid and there is now a real chance that it may be cancelled if an eleventh hour rally is not forthcoming.

The secretary of the Festival Committee, Mr. W. McNeilly, said: “We had a meeting last week at which the only attenders were three young ladies and the caretaker of the hall. This simply is not enough to make the running of a festival a feasible proposition.”

Asked what had gone wrong, he replied: “Mainly, I think the reason is that the festival is no longer a novelty. People have lost interest. They are not actively against it, but they are not really enthusiastic about it.

“Ardglass is not alone, of course, in finding interest waning in the whole idea of festivals. Other towns and villages nearby have had the same trouble.”

A meeting of the Town Committee will be held on May 3 in the Fishermen’s Rest. 

DOWNPATRICK — A new RUC Divisional headquarters building estimated to cost in the region of £200,000 is to be built at Downpatrick and should be in operation some time within the next two years.

Plans are at present being prepared and it is hoped that the contract will go out to tender early next year. The building will take about 18 months to complete and should be in commission by the middle of 1973.

A spokesman said: “We are working on plans at the moment. We hope to have the drawings completed and the contract released to tender by early next year.”

Prior to the reorganisation of the RUC plans for a new county headquarters for Downpatrick were an at advanced stage.

The spokesman added: A divisional headquarters is no lower in status than a county headquarters. It is every bit as important and has an equally important role to play.”

NEWCASTLE — A greyhound walked into a Newcastle pub last week looking for a drink and a bite to eat. And he got it!

Ye Olde Bar proprietor Paschal Ranaghan sometimes gets an odd customer so he wasn’t too much taken aback. But he restricted the animal’s movements and barred it from the singing lounge! After a slap-up meal the dog was put in the capable hands of Mr. Ramsden, the local USPCA inspector.

But not every stray dog gets this type of royal reception and local police Chief Inspector Tom Mills is concerned about the number of dogs roaming the streets. “I don’t understand it… people just seem to bring their dogs to Newcastle and then let them stray,” he said.

KILLINCHY — A spokesman for the Fire Brigade had denied that firemen had to wait for seawater, or that they found a dry hydrant when they dealt with a blaze at the Killinchy home of Belfast businessman, Mr. J. Sherrard.

The house, a renovated cottage at Ballymorran Bay, was gutted by the flames and the owner, his wife and small daughter were living in a caravan in the garden waiting the completion of the renovation work.

A neighbour said: “The fire brigade were called, but when they arrived the water hydrant was dry. They brought water with them, but this ran out and they put pipes down to the bay for water.

“The tide was only just coming in and they had to wait for about half an hour for it while the house was burning. The house must have burned for a couple of hours. Now it is just a shell.”

SHRIGLEY — A roofer working at a building site at Shrigley had a narrow escape when he fell 20 feet from a building and only suffered a sprained ankle.

John Neill was employed by the firm of McAlpine and Son, engaged on an extension of the United Chrometanners works. He was attendee at the scene by the UCT’s nurse, Irish Smith, who gave him first aid before his admission to Downe Hospital.

BALLYNAHINCH — The committee of Ballynahinch and District Branch of the Save the Children Fund are delighted to report the splendid result of their annual coffee party and bring and buy sale of over £380 and are very conscious of the debt of gratitude they owe to their many friends and supporters from far and near.

This year’s effort was held at Montalto, Ballynahinch, the charming home of the Earl and Countess of Clanwilliam. In brilliant sunshine the guests began arriving at an early hour to enjoy coffee and chat in the lovely grounds gay with spring blooms.

A special feature of the sale was the grand ballot for which several of the prizes were donated by local traders. The ballot was drawn by the Countess of Clanwilliam, president of the branch, ably assisted by Lady Sophia Mead.

SEAFORDE — Miss Peggy Jennings (20), of Artana, Seaforde, was chosen at a Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster dance in the Braniel Hall, Hillhall, as the new County Down Dairy Princess. She will represent her county in the final of the Ulster Dairy Queen competition, which will be held at the RUAS Members’ Building on May 17.

DUNDRUM — A fashion show aimed at helping disabled children lead as normal a life as their physical handicaps permit will take place in Dundrum on May 7. It is being organised by a man who has borne a serious handicap since birth, Mr. William Keown, now the owner of an expanding footwear, drapery and Aran knitwear manufacturing business in the village.

He is promoting the show because of the encouragement and help that was given to him and now he wants to turn his attention and experience to the benefit of young people who have to travel the same road.

SAINTFIELD— The annual inspection of Saintfield Girls’ Brigade was held on Thursday and Friday evenings of last week. The inspecting officer on Thursday was Mrs. I. Harris, captain of 2nd Comber GB, and Friday night’s inspection was carried out by Mrs. J. McKnight, captain of Killinchy GB.

KILLYLEAGH — The 16th annual display of Killyleagh Girls’ Brigade was held on Thursday and Friday nights of last week. Mrs. A. P. Gilmore, captain of the Killyleagh Company, was presented with a gold watch in recognition of her work.

BALLYNAHINCH — London Weekend TV sports personality Brian Moore, who will be at Windsor Park for next month’s international between Northern Ireland and England, is likely to be one of the adjudicators at Ballynahinch Civic Week’s penalty prize competition. Sports fans will remember that it was Mr. Moore and his team who initiated the competition whose final was watched by 100,000 fans at the last two Wembley cup finals.