From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 17, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 17, 1976

17 August 2016

ST JOHN’S POINT — The appearance on an unexpected guest off St John’s Point, Killough, this week hardly caused a murmur. But that was not surprising. It was ‘Jaws’ — a shark!

A Recorder team went to the scene and found the 20-foot basking shark within 200 yards of the shore. Several fishermen were casting their lines from a rowing boat nearby and around the corner three families were swimming in the water — all oblivious to its presence.

Although not classed as a killer, the basking shark could be dangerous if aroused. Reported to be one of the biggest shark species, some have been seen off our shores most years. On this occasion it seemed more interested in a shoal of mackerel and spent much of its time in attempting to corner them in a little cove.

With the help of brothers John and Peter Keeling, the Recorder team set off in a 16-foot rowing boat to get a closer look. At one stage the shark became very curious and moved to within 15 yards of the boat, but it made to attempt to attack — unlike the famous ‘Jaws.’

After circling it twice, the boat returned to the shore and shark turned its attention back to the mackerel.

NEWCASTLE — Thousands of holidaymakers in Newcastle were evacuated from the town centre after a hoax bomb call on Sunday afternoon.

The town was thrown into chaos as security forces blocked off the town centre and moved everybody outside the zone. Church services were abandoned and worshippers arriving for evening services were turned away.

Police received the anonymous telephone call just after 6pm. The caller claimed that bombs hd been planted in the town and were due to go off at 7pm. Traders and businessmen searched their premises, but nothing was found. The area was declared safe several hours later.

Main Street was once again sealed off for several hours yesterday in another bomb alert and this time it was the real thing.

A telephone warning in the middle of the afternoon told police that a bomb was planted in the shop of Mr A P Cairns, the former chairman of Newcastle Urban Council. The bomb, an incendiary-type believed to contain components of dynamite and an inflammable liquid, was successfully defused.

CASTLEWELLAN — The summer tranquility of Castlewellan Secondary School has been shattered by the arrival of groups of children on a special holiday scheme.

Children aged between 9 and 12, from all parts of the province, have taken part in ‘colony holidays’ organised by the Children’s Community Holiday Trust. The children involved are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are of different religions and are mixed socially, some from comfortable homes and others from deprived backgrounds, who are sponsored by the Health and Social Services.

The aim is to give the children the experience of living together in a mixed environment and forming positive relationships with the other children. They also learn a wide range of new games, activities and crafts.

Many of the children who come on the holidays know only street corners, or playing football and watching television. It is hoped that the things will learn will broaden their horizons and give them new interests.

DOWNPATRICK — Five Downpatrick teenagers have had their hands full for the last fortnight — with a glove puppet show. Oliver Cochrane, Paul Smith, Willie McCullough, Imelda Kennedy and Jennifer Watters have been working with their own show at play schemes in Bangor and Newtownards.

Each day they have been entertaining up to 60 children aged between three and eleven and then encouraging them to make up their own stories. Not only did the group perform in the show, they also made their own equipment. The three boys made the box for the show, while the papier maché puppets were made by the girts.

According to one of the helpers on the schemes, the five had quite a hard working schedule. They usually left him about 9.30am and did not arrive home until after 5.30pm.

PORTAFERRY — Portaferry’s only advance factory, due to completed next month, will be in full production before Christmas. That’s the confident forecast of North Down councillor, Mr Brendan McPolin, who has campaigned with many others for a factory in the town for more than two years.

The 300 square metre building on a site in High Street is owned by the Department of Commerce-backed Local Enterprise Development Unit and it understood that a potential client is currently negotiating with LEDU officers.

Mr McPolin told the Recorder that the factory will provide much-needed employment in the manufacturing field for local people, many of whom now have to travel to Newtownards, Bangor and Belfast to find work.

He pointed out that although there was some concern at the amount of vacant factory space in the North Down area, he had good reason to feel optimistic that the Portaferry factory would get a tenant.

BALLYNAHINCH — Profits from Ballynahinch’s recent civic week will be used to provide a day’s entertainment for senior citizens of the town. The civic week committee have announced that they hope to arrange a tour of the Mournes for the senior citizens next month. It is likely that tea will be provided on their return followed by a concert.

Meanwhile, the committee are to held their annual meeting on Monday at 8pm in the White Horse Hotel in High Street. Committee members are appealing for a large turnout of townspeople as they aim to work for a larger and more varied programme next year.

LOUGHISLANDREAVY — Fears of further water restrictions because of the low level of the Loughinislandreavy reservoir have been allayed by the Department of the Environment.

A ban on the use of hosepipes for washing cars or watering gardens has been in force since the beginning of May. All of Down District, except the wards of Castlewellan, Tollymore, and most of Castlereagh and Ards districts, including Comber, Killinchy and Ballygowan, are affected by the ban.

COMBER — Comber Rifle Club member David Calvert finished only one point behind the three leaders in the Queen’s Prize, the premier national award for full bore target shooting at the National Rifle Association open meeting at Bisley.

BALLYNAGROSS — The second annual sports day at Ballynagross, near Downpatrick, proved just as popular as the first when the organisers were again fortunate in their weather predictions. For, as last year, the sun shone on this festival of sport and amusement and the holiday spirit prevailed.

There were plenty of additions to last year’s sideshows and the general theme was directed the way of complete family enjoyment. Saul Accordian Band preceded the fancy dress contestants to the sports ground and there was a dance later in Ballycruttle Hall.

POLITICS — A new threat to Mr Enoch Powell’s continued existence as MP for South Down has come from the Democratic Unionist Party — only days after his Unionist association agreed to forward his name to a meeting of delegates next month.

There is a strong possibility that the United Unionist Coalition — to which nine of the ten Unionists at Westminister belong — may refuse to ratify his nomination as their candidate at the next General Election.

They may decide to back a candidate nominated by the Democratic Unionists, or the UUUM led by Mr Ernest Baird. Among possible candidates are Mr Cecil Harvey, from Crossgar, and Mr David Heron, of Castlewellan.