From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 9, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 9, 1974

DOWNPATRICK — Youngsters who became over zealous at the Grand Cinema, Downpatrick, on Friday night during a showing of ‘Carry On Girls’ have caused the temporary closure of the 40 year-old picture house.

For the youngsters — there were about twenty all under 14 years of age — smashed dozens of seats and fittings. Cinema proprietor, Mr. H. Breen, who has films booked many months in advance, said he would like to reopen when “normal circumstances” prevail again. However, for the next few weeks at least, the cinema will remain closed.

The Breen family have been connected with the cinema business for over half a century. Their first picture house was situated on the Circular Road before they opened their present business in Market Street in 1935. The cinema was always open seven nights weekly and is noted for showing the top films of the day.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Glee Singers have given £525 from the proceeds of their current presentation of King’s Rhapsody to the Downe Hospital fund to provide a new cardiac and major accident ambulance. At Monday’s gala night in the Annesley Hall, the chairman, Mr. Pat Rodgers, handed over the cheque to Mr. George Flinn, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board’s district administrative officer.

Mr. Rodgers said the Glee Singers supported a number of worthy charities, but this time they had chosen a cause nearer to home. One of their members, Mr. David Hanna, had coaxed no fewer than 25 people into sponsorship with gifts of money ranging from £5 to £25. Mr. Flinn congratulated the Glee Singers in their magnificent effort, which would bring the fund close to achieving its objective.

He said the ambulance was presently being fitted out and much of the specialist equipment had already been bought.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar War Memorial Hall may come under the control of Down District Council as a public amenity — on the suggestion of the hall committee.

In a letter to the council, the committee asked the council to take an interest in the hall. They explained that the building has been used as a community centre since 1952 as it was the only hall in the area without religious limitations. Its facilities were used by several clubs and committees for meetings.

For some years the cost of running the hall had been largely offset by commercial letting for weekly dances, but since these had stopped, the committee had decided that the management of the hall should be under public control.

When asked what the legal limitations on the council may be, the clerk, Mr. Seamus Byrne, said that it would depend what the committee meant by “taking an interest” in the hall. He doubted if they would be able to subsidise it, for example.

Mr. W. J. Cochrane said that it took approximately £1,000 per year to run the hall and while this had been largely provided by dance promoters, the weekly function had kept the town in turmoil.

Mr. P. J. Smyth said there was a need for a community centre in Crossgar and Lt. Col. Denys Rowan-Hamilton said that the hall was what the council needed to provide in the area, and it was what the people of Crossgar wanted.

BALLYNAHINCH — The annual inspection and display of Ballynahinch Congregational Church Girls’ Brigade took place to packed houses on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The chairman was the Rev. R. Courtney.

To open there was a parade of the company followed by the inspection and captain’s report. This was followed by a programme of games, PE drills, marches and a number of sketches. Mrs. Courtney presented the awards on Tuesday and Miss A. Magowan on Wednesday.

SAINTFIELD — When the services of eight primary schools in the Saintfield area are replaced by a new school at Cahard Road, there may be transport problems for the pupils, according to local councillor, Mr. John Cleland. At Down Council’s meeting on Monday, Mr. Cleland expressed concern that hardship would be experienced by many children, especially those living in outlying areas.

Mr. W. J. Finlay said that transport would be provided, but he could not say whether it would be on a door-to-door basis, or whether there would be a number of collection points established.

Mr. Finlay said he was as sorry as anyone to see the disappearance of small rural schools, but this was the only way in which proper education could be given today when one considered the cost factor.

NEWCASTLE — Thinking of buying a car? Then you’ll want expert advice and the place to go is Newcastle Technical College tonight where the local Road Safety Committee are organising a ‘You and your Car’ night.

Mr. W. A. McMaster, motoring correspondent for the Belfast News Letter, will give a talk on buying a car and there will be colour films on the 1972 RAC Circuit of Ireland Rally and an interesting look at modern driving techniques. The Road Committee will announce the winners of their motoring practice competition for children aged nine years or more. Admission is free.

DRUMANESS — A determined bid is to be made to put “terribly bad” playing pitches at Drumaness in good order after more than two years of waiting. At Monday night’s district council meeting, Mr. Dan Rice complained that the council had been led up the path by consultants who had been asked eight months ago to get things moving. He complained too that the roads service had taken longer to give clearance to proposals submitted to them.

“I’m now informed that the ministry are not prepared to pay grant towards the improvement of the soccer and cricket pitches,” he said. “The only way in which the work could be carried out is by the council as a maintenance job.”

LOUGHINISLAND — On Tuesday evening an abandoned Ford Anglia was set alight at Brennan’s Corner, near Loughinisland, but the vehicle was ext

KILLYLEAGH — St. Mary’s Primary School, Killyleagh, returned from this year’s Bangor Music Festival with more than their share of success. In the poetry writing section Agnes Stewart won first place in the 6-7 years age group and another first was Donna McErlean in the group for ten year-olds. Clodagh Miskelly finished third among the nine year-olds and Una Lundy was third in the 11 year-old group. Brian Bentley was highly commended in the 11 year-old group.

In the choral verse speaking section the school gained overall second place and in the individual verse speaking for U-7s Bernie Rice and Joanne Kerr were highly commended. In the storytelling section for 9-11 year-olds Anne Passey was placed overall second and Una Lundy, Marcelline Rice, Monica Denvir and Jean Oakes were all highly commended.

SEAFORDE — A member of a well known Seaforde family, Mr. John Andrew McCammon, Osborne Park, Belfast, died at the age of 88. Mr. McCammon was born at Campbell College and entered the linen industry as an apprentice in 1904. he remained with Messrs John Shaw Brown & Sons until his retirement in 1966 and had been a director ever since. He served with the Royal Garrison Artillery during the first world war and was commissioned in 1915. He was an accomplished angler and a keen sportsmen.

HOCKEY — Down Hockey Club, who celebrate their 75th anniversary next year, are considering the provision of an all-weather pitch. At the moment they have not done much more than seek planning permission — which they got on Monday.

The location, listed as Park Lane on the maps, is better known as Harry’s Loney, which leads from Saul Street to Strangford Road.

Lord Dunleath is prepared to make a piece of flat ground available to the club. All that is required is consideration of means — and a start was made at last night’s annual meeting of the club.