From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 30, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 30, 1974

30 April 2014

ARDGLASS — Two men who were snatched from the edge of a watery grave at Ardglass harbour last summer watched their rescuers receive Royal Humane Society awards. One of those to receive an award is the son of one of the two were rescued.

The awards were presented to three Ardglass men — Mr. Dermot Robinson, of Kildare Street, Mr. Frank Shiels, The Ward, and Mr. Edward J. Milligan, of Strangford Road, whose father, Patrick, and Col. Francis E. Nangle, who were rescued when their boat was washed ashore due to engine failure.

Chief Inspector Austin Anderson, who arranged the presentation on behalf of the society, said he had been asked to have it carried out in as public a manner as possible.

Recalling the dramatic events of June 30, he said: “As the boat began to break up and fill Ardglass people, as they always do, rushed to the rescue. These three men were to the forefront of the rescue operation, but there were several others all eager to help as well.”

Col. Nangle said he welcomed the opportunity the ceremony gave to express his gratitude publicly. In saving his life, they had put their own at considerable risk and he was delighted that their bravery had been recognised.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle suffered from a wave of window-breaking by weekend hooligans. At Down District Council’s meeting on Monday, Mr. Paddy O’Donoghue said he could not understand the vandals’ mentality. “If there’s a window handy, they throw their bottles through it, rather that put them in a litter basket,” he said.

Windows were broken in schools and Main Street business premises. Last summer this type of vandalism reached serious proportions in the town and police had great difficulty in making people amenable.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s town hall may reverberate once again to the sounds of people enjoying themselves, depending on the outcome of investigations to be undertaken by council officials.

The hall, which is owned by Dunleath Estates, has lain dormant for several years since the owners decided that income from lettings would be insufficient to warrant alterations to comply with licensing requirements. In the meantime, Lord Dunleath offered it to the former urban council free of charge and Mr. Edward McGrady had the matter aired at Monday’s meeting of the district council.

Mr. John Ritchie explained that there was a dearth of recreational facilities in Downpatrick, especially since the destruction of St. Patrick’s Hall and the closing of the only cinema.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh and district tenants’ association’s stamp campaign has received widespread support with donations coming from as far afield as Limerick and Galway. The campaign to raise enough Green Shield or Pink Shield stamps for a minibus for the town’s older citizens was started a month ago. The association will present the minibus to the local senior citizens’ club.

STRANGFORD — Firemen were kept busy dealing with three outbreaks in hay sheds near Strangford on Friday morning. Police believe that all three were caused maliciously and that they may be linked.

The first, at Killard, was well alight when the glow was noticed by RAF personnel at Bishopscourt. They sent service firefighters and at the same time called the Downpatrick brigade.

A shed containing 300 bales and five tons of fertiliser, as well as several implements, was gutted. Two firemen had to receive treatment to their eyes as the water from their hoses caused the fertiliser to give off ammonia gas. Surprisingly, the owner’s collie dog, which was chained to one of the implements in the shed, was not heard to bark at any time. It was later released by firemen unharmed.

While this outbreak was being dealt with, another was reported at a shed near Kilclief. In this blaze 400 bales were lost and 2,000 were saved. Simultaneously, in another shed near Kilclief football ground, 500 bales were burned.

BALLYNAHINCH — There is uneasiness in Ballynahinch that the local technical college may be involved in the suggested amalgamation of Downpatrick and Newcastle technical education areas under one principal in Downpatrick.

Mr. Edward McVeigh, chairman of Down District Council and vice-chairman of the former management committee of Ballynahinch Technical College, vowed that he would do all in his power to maintain its status. “I cannot stand in the path of progress as charted by the specialists,” he said, “but my experience has taught me that centralisation is not always best.

“For years the level of unemployment in this area has been very low and it is only sensible to leave responsibility for arranging courses to meet local needs in the hands of local people with local knowledge.”

DUNDRUM — Dundrum regatta and sports festival will be a two-day event this year, it was decided at Tuesday’s annual meeting of the committee. The dates are Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 20.

The idea was put forward because of the undoubted success of the event in recent years. It was felt a one-day programme was in danger of becoming overloaded.

The programme will be enlarged and by spreading it over two days more time will be given to each aspect of the bill and thus increase public enjoyment. Apart from that it is hoped that even greater numbers will be attracted to the village by holding at the end of the ‘Twelfth’ fortnight.

Mr D. J. McNeill was re-elected chairman of committee and Messrs. J. McKinney and J. Johnston joint treasurers. Mr. R. Whatmough was appointed secretary.

SAINTFIELD — A new primary school at Saintfield is to be built by the Newtownards farm of Messrs David Harvey & Sons. Their tender of £233,872 has been accepted by the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

BALLYKINLAR — Ballykinlar Players stage their annual drama production next week when ‘Mrs. Mulligan’s Millions’ promises to have audiences roaring their heads off.

Paddy Bradley does the double act again, producing and acting as never before. Hugh Quinn makes an auspicious debut and three other newcomers to endorse the adequate Ballykinlar talent situation are Pat Maguire, Dolores Cockayne and Tom Curran. There are brilliant performances from Annie Curran, John Smith, Marian Smith, Eileen Fisher, Bill Warnock, Jack Warnock, Edmund Mason and Tony Magennis.

NEWCASTLE — After forty years the pumping system at Newcastle Swimming Pool is to be treated to a new motor - and there is only one company that can supply it to the requirements. It has to be fitted in readiness for June 1 when the pool is opened for the season.

RAFFREY — A large number of parents and friends attended the 28th annual display in connection with Raffrey Boys’ Brigade in the Martin Hall under the chairmanship of Mr. W. C. L. Morrow. The inspecting officer was Mr. Billy Neill, manager of the NI amateur international soccer team, and the prizes were presented by Mrs. D. Patterson.

LITTER — Nothing short of an all-out anti-litter campaign is required to make the beaches, towns and countryside tolerably tidy, Mr. James Mitchell, works manager, told Down District Council.

He was defending his case for the urgent appointment of supervisory staff and at the same time responding to complaints from councillors about litter-strewn towns and indiscriminate dumping in the countryside.

Mr. Paddy O’Donoghue said the litter situation in Newcastle at Easter was such that “you could wade through it.” Litter bins were full and many more were needed.

Mr. John Ritchie said the situation was grave at Tyrella beach where bottles and tins offered a potential danger to children. It was nice to see Ballynahinch Rugby Club carrying out a sponsored clean-up, but really it was the council’s job.