From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 18, 1978

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 18, 1978

18 July 2018

ARDGLASS — A ten year-old Ardglass boy had a narrow escape from serious injury when he fell some 20 feet off a cliff near his home on Monday. Paul Smith, of St Nicholas’ Walk, was searching for golf balls with two of his friends when the accident happened.

The boys had climbed down the deer face of Howd’s Hole, a notorious just beside the second hole on the golf course. On the return climb Paul had reached a high of about 20 feet when he slipped and fell backwards into shallow water.

His playmates, Gerard Corr and James Dorrian, managed to scramble to the top and alert passing golfers. Within minutes, Dr Noel Moorhead, a member of the club, arrived at the scene and climbed down the cliff to where the boy lay.

Considering it was too dangerous to attempt to carry Paul back up the cliff, frantic signals were made to two local men fishing from a boat a short distance away. Mr Terence Overend  and Mr John Smith brought their boat to the gully to where Dr Moorhead waded out with the injured boy in his arms.

Dr Moorhead accompanied them to the harbour where an ambulance was waiting to rush Paul to Downe Hospital.

SHRIGLEY — Senior citizens in Shrigley have appealed to the head of Ulsterbus to help them with a distressing travel problem.

They are calling to Dr Werner Heubeck to help pensioners in the village who have been unable to go to Downpatrick to sign for the lower Ulsterbus fares. Bad weather, ill health and the high cost of getting to Downpatrick has meant that many of then have been unable to obtain the lower fares.

They say that the return trip to Downpatrick would cost 58 pence and they are at present having to pay nine pence for the quarter of a mile run from Shrigley to Killyleagh.

In order to combat the problem they have suggested than an arrangement should be made whereby they can sign in Killyleagh where most of them collect their pensions and do their shopping anyway.

BALLYNAHINCH — Healing the sick in Ballynahinch has been the prime concern of Dr Hugh Arthur for the past 38 years. When he decided to retire at the end of last month his patients organised a presentation fund to honour his services to them.

The presentation to Dr Arthur took place recently in the Millbrook Lodge Hotel and was attended by Mrs Arthur and three members of the family. Mrs Noade presented the doctor with an inscribed oil painting by local artist Denis Thornton on behalf of his many patients and friends.

Dr Arthur also received a substantial cheque, which was presented by his former colleague, Dr Bassett, while Mrs Arthur received two Capo-di-Monte figures, which were presented by Mrs D McCreanor.

“Dr Arthur has had a heavy charge of the past 38 years and for a great number of them he has shouldered the practice alone,” said Mrs L Kilby, on behalf of the presentation committee. “His patients were never made to feel that he didn’t have time for them and each in turn had the doctor’s undivided attention.”

CROSSGAR — Pretty Pauline Miskelly, from Crossgar, is really flying high these days. At only 22 she has already been in most countries in Europe and has travelled extensively in America, the Middle East and the Far East.

Pauline is an air hostess with the Dan Air airline based at Gatwick and is currently working on transatlantic trips and internal flights in America.

Last week though, the globe-trotting Pauline was taking a well-earned rest with her parents at their home at Darragh Road.

“Ever since I was very young I have always wanted to do something like this,” Pauline said.

DRUMANESS — Three youths were seriously injured on when two motorcycles collided at Quarry’s Corner, Drumaness. The accident occurred at 11.20pm and the youths were rushed to hospital where they are undergoing treatment for injuries.

The circumstances of the accident are not clear but Ballynahinch police have appeared for the doctor who assisted at the scene to contact them.

KILLOUGH — Calls to have Killough developed as a major new yachting centre have been rejected.

A report into the future of small harbours in Co Down has said that although Killough would be an ideal site for such a venture, the drawbacks at present outweigh the advantages.

Instead, the consultants who drew up the report suggest an extensive £68,000 scheme to restore the existing pier and they say this could be used as the basis for a yachting centre in the future if demand increases.

The use of Killough as a commercial port is also rejected and the consultants recommend no action to save Coney Island Quay, which has now been almost totally destroyed by wave action.

Indeed both piers in Killough are in such poor condition that the report labels them as “outstanding examples on the east coast of Northern Ireland of harbour neglect.”

PORTAFERRY — Portaferry Gala Week has been proving a big hit with the crowds and despite a recent drop in the weather the organisers say that the event has more than lived up to their expectations.

A packed festival programme got underway on Saturday with the County Down Fleadh Ceoil and the final event will be held at the weekend with a grand cruise and dance on Saturday night aboard the MV Portaferry.

“Things are going great,” said Mr Gabriel Rogers, who is one of the organisers. “The only thing that may have put a dampener on proceedings is the rain because most of our events are held outdoors, but that has not stopped people enjoying themselves.

Mr Peter McDougall, general manager of the Portaferry Hotel, said: “It’s the biggest week of the year here. The event has really put the town on the map and it is a credit to the Gala Committee who organise it.”

CASTLEWELLAN — A bigger field than ever before competed in the twelfth annual Castlewellan Horse and Agricultural Show in the Forest Park at the weekend. They were competing for £3,500 in prize money and coveted trophies.

The cool, yet dry weather encvourtaged the usual large crowd of spectators who flocked to the forest park from 9am onwards. As well as the jumping and show events, they wandered around a record number of stalls selling glassware, drapery, crockery, flowers and fruit. Local garages displayed gleaming cars such as the new Saab, Polski Fiat and Volkswagen.

STRANGFORD — A British army uniform worn by Lord Bangor in the First World War was one of the many valued exhibits on show in Strangford on Saturday. The exhibition was organised by the Rev W E Kennedy, rector of Bright and Kilclief, and took place on the parochial hall.

It was divided up into sections covering military history since before the First World War. The first section showed material and equipment prior to 1914, the second covered the Great War and the third covering the Second World War included a collection of Nazi equipment, as well as British and Italian material.

A competition on aircraft recognition was won by young Brian Johnston, of Tully Farm, Strangford, and Colm Magee, of Downpatrick Road, Strangford, won a competition based on the battle of Waterloo.

KILLINCHY — Killinchy’s new rector, the Rev Raymond Fox, was given a warm and enthusiastic welcome by clergy and people of all denominations at a reception after his institution by the Bishop of Down, Dr George Quin. Mr Fox replaces the Rev Cecil Burrowes who recently retired after 28 years in charge of the united parishes of Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill.