From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 15, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 15, 1972

15 August 2012

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle police yesterday turned down a proposal to open the town’s Annesley Mansions car park to motorists between 9am and 5pm daily. They claim the risk of another car-bomb explosion is too great to have the barricades removed and will only agree to the plan if the urban council employ a full-time parking attendant.

This cancels a decision of the local council after a special meeting called on Monday night to meet a deputation of traders who complained that emergency traffic restrictions had caused a severe reduction in business.

Deputation spokesman, Mr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, told the meeting that customers had “complained bitterly”. Car parks at Donard Park and Causeway Road were not being utilised, he said. “We feel that cars are definitely going out of town.”

Councillor R. J. Hall said the security situation was ludicrous. “Traffic wardens put yellow tickets on unattended parked cars. What good is that, if a car has a 200 lb bomb in it? It should be towed away immediately.”

Mr. Ron Ball, manager of Joyland amusement arcade, said the closure of the Annesley Mansions car park had hit business tremendously. “That car park was our lifeline.”

DOWNPATRICK — “Your total commitment to local government, not only during office hours but in your leisure time, has made you the foremost authority on the subject in this province,” Mr. Edward McGrady, chairman of Downpatrick Urban Council, told Mr. Maurice Hayes, town clerk, at an adjourned meeting of the council last Thursday night.

The only item of business on the agenda was Mr. Hayes’ resignation to take up another appointment as deputy director with the Ministry of Complaints in September and tributes were paid to him by many of the councillors.

Mr. McGrady said that on behalf of the council and especially on his own behalf he wished to thank Mr. Hayes for his unfailing courtesy and for the many personal kindnesses which he had rendered to every member of the council.

“Your accomplishments will always be physically evident in Downpatrick, in bricks and mortar, in better living conditions and in a good way of life.”

Replying, Mr. Hayes said the council had a to be proud of, particularly in the field of housing development. It gave him the greatest pleasure to realise that people were now living in better conditions and enjoying a higher standard than ever before.

SAINTFIELD — In the recent announcement of results of the North-West Board Certificate of Secondary Education, seven pupils from Saintfield Secondary School gained a total of 52 subject passes in English, Eng. Literature, History, Mathematics, Science, Engineering Drawing, Woodwork and Typewriting. They are: Gary Burton, Mervyn Crawford, David Spratt, Harold Young, Lorraine Evans, Denise Hampton and Yvonne Kittle.

DUNDRUM — A seven year-old Canadian girl, grand-daughter of a Ballynahinch doctor, was seriously injured in a road accident at Twelve Arches, Dundrum, on Sunday. She is Margaret Ingibergsson, from Bewis, near Edmonton, Alberta, who was admitted to Downe Hospital after she sustained two broken legs and head injuries when struck by a car.

Margaret is the grand-daughter of Dr. James Smylie, of Tullybeg Fort, Newcastle Road.

DROMARA — A Dutchman who has lived in the United Kingdom for eight years, and now lives in Dromara, should know by October 9 if he can stay here. He is Frank Heuff, of Derry Stables, Derry, Dromara, whose case came up at Ballynahinch Court on Monday for contravening a Home Office permit letting him stay in the country until August 31 last year.

His solicitor, Mr. John McRobert, said his client’s permit was renewed annually by the Home Office to whom he had to forward his passport. Last year the passport was lost.

BALLYKINLER — A soldier who was late getting back to camp from Dundrum and took away a car from the village was fined a total of £23. He is Private Henry Burgess (19), of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Ballykinler, who also admitted driving carelessly, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

In a statement Burgess said he was drinking in Dundrum. He couldn’t get a lift at 1.50am, so he took away a car which had been left with the ignition key in the dash. He took his girlfriend home first, but crashed en route at Newcastle Road, Drumaness.

DUNDRUM — Alex Mateer is still a very young man, but for years he has cherished the idea of not only opening but owning his own roadside cafe. When he was in England he was very impressed by the service given to the moving population by this type of cafe and when the opportunity presented itself in Dundrum he grasped it.

“I opened this place a few weeks ago and so far we are opening on six days only, but are thinking about the seventh day opening. After all we are only cafe open between here and Ballynahinch.”

DRUMANESS — A devastating 15-over spell from Drumaness bowler sent six Carrickfergus batsmen back to the pavilion for only 14 runs. Tom was backed up by some economical bowling from J. Strain and his side’s best fielding performance of the season.

Only two of the visiting batsmen reached double figures in an innings of 52. Drumaness soon knocked up the required runs for the loss of just two wickets. Tom Hanna followed up his bowling with a fine undefeated knock of 28. His brother, Noel, kept the runs in the family with a quick 24.