From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 4, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 4, 1972

4 April 2012

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch Civic Week, planned for the middle of May, has been scrapped because the organisers fear bombers might use it to carry their terrorist campaign into Mid-Down.

Organising secretary, Mrs. Dorothy Walsh, yesterday outlined the three reasons for the decision. (1) A ban on car parking in the town square; (2) the Government’s ban on parades and (3) a refusal by insurance companies to provide cover for a number of civic week events.

‘We took a decision on Monday night not to hold a civic week this year,” Mrs. Walsh told the Recorder. “We could have held a watered-down version but we agreed that if we could not have one on the better lines of last year’s it was better not to have one at all.”

“We hope to be able to sponsor a number of events during the summer months and we’ll probably get around the ban on parades, which effects the massive fancy dress march through the streets, by staging the event in a field.”

Mrs. Walsh says the committee is not in any way embittered at the decision it was forced to take. “We are naturally disappointed, but we have to accept the situation in the light of what is taking place in Northern Ireland.

“When the situation improves we will stage a better civic week than ever before and probably as good as any ever held in Northern Ireland. And we hope we”ll be able to do that next year.”

DRUMAROAD — For the second time in seven months a deputation from the Drumaroad Housing Action Committee has met with East Down Rural Council. Four members of the committee attended Monday night’s monthly meeting and stressed the necessity for the early provision of bathrooms to ten houses at Assisi Gardens. After a half hour discussion on the matter it was agreed that the architect, Mr. George Sampson, should look into the question of providing bathrooms.

Mr. James O’Boyle, secretary of the housing action committee, said the houses had been built 16 years ago and the residents considered it was a “bit rough” to have to wait another year before bathrooms could be provided.

Another member of the deputation, Mr. Vincent Rogan, asked: “How many here live in houses with no bathrooms? We feel it would be bad form to tell you your business, but we do feel there should be bathrooms provided.”

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Guides have carved a niche for themselves in the record books with six girls gaining the Queen’s Guide award, the movement’s top honour.

The presentations took place on Friday night at a special function in the WI Hall, Downs Road. Mrs. M. McMullan, Divisional Commissioner for South Down, introduced Miss A. Travers, Cedar Heights, Bryansford, to hand over the awards to Pauline Brown, Gillian Russell, Christine Irwin, Fiona McCracken and Francene Herron. Margaret Annett was unable to attend because of illness.

The Irwin family established a UK record when young Christine received her badge to join her three sisters who had earlier gained similar recognition.

Mrs. E. McCracken, assistant guide leader, conducted a programme of entertainment and Mrs. Marguerite Slinger presided at the piano. Guide leader, Mrs. M. E. Neill, thanked all who had assisted in staging the event, especially her assistant, Mrs. Jean Moore.

KILLYLEAGH — The 17th annual display of Killyleagh Girls’ Brigade was held in the Cooke Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings of last week. The visiting officers were Miss Eleanor Gibson, of Ballygowan Girls’ Brigade Company, and Miss Joan Barr, formerly Girls’ Brigade training officer in Jamaica. The company chaplain, Rev. James Harper, was chairman on both evenings.

SEAFORDE — Thirty-nine residents of Seaforde have sent a petition to East Down Rural Council requesting the provision of mains sewerage facilities for their village. The petition was read at Monday night’s monthly meeting of the council and Mr. Norman Robinson remarked that Seaforde was one of the few villages in East Down that had not been provided with a sewerage scheme.

After a short discussion it was agreed to refer the matter to the engineer for further investigation.

CROSSGAR — The Bomb Victims Relief Fund, sponsored by the Belfast Telegraph, received a boost this week when £232 was handed over by the pupils of St. Colmcille’s School, Crossgar. The money was raised at a charity walk and disco organised by the children who conveyed their thanks to all who sponsored the walkers. They have a special word of praise for Constable Carson, of Ballynahinch RUC, who provided a motorcycle patrol to ensure the children’s safety along the route and at road junctions.

DRUMANESS — Residents of the Drumaness area will now be able to enjoy Sunday night entertainment for after three months of discussion by East Down Rural Council a seven-day licence has been granted in respect of the local recreation hall. In February 645 people from the area sent a petition to the council calling for the granting of a seven-day licence and outlining the need fort Sunday entertainment in the district. Last month an application came before the council and a proposal that it be granted was defeated by four votes to two with eight members abstaining.

DOWNPATRICK — There was a good turnout for the last meeting of Downpatrick Young Farmers’ Club’s winter programme in the clubhouse on Tuesday when Mrs. Furey, Mrs. Kidd and Mr. W. Crea formed the panel for ‘Any Questions.’ The questions were many and varied.