From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 23, 1977

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 23, 1977

23 August 2017

SAINTFIELD — With pressure steadily mounting for a public inquiry into the handling of the Saintfield factory affair, the company involved have broken their silence with a “leave us alone” message.

In a statement issued to the Recorder, Dorphin Unit Buildings said that the whole dispute should now be concluded and warned that any change in the decision to grant planning permission would cause “serious injury to the future of this organisation and the resulting jeopardy of its workforce.”

Dorphin is involved in the manufacture of prefabricated building units. Their application to build the new factory in Saintfield was first made last year and work on clearing the site began on Boxing Day, with the first girders being erected in January.

Work was halted in April, however, when it was discovered that the factory was six feet higher than it should have been. Only last week the government granted permission for this bigger structure.

Although the company spokesman did not explain why the factory had been built six feet higher than the original planning permission allowed, he said this matter was only a “technicality.”

BALLYNAHINCH — More than 20 cars took part in a successful treasure hunt organised by Ballynahinch United Football Club. The cars set off to solve 24 clues and gather six pieces of treasure, and returned within three hours.

It was a tie for first place between E Dunegan and his two passengers and J Hart and his two passengers. Third place went to N Sufferin. There was also a prize for the car which scored the lowest total.

The club would like to thank everyone who supported them in the venture, particularly those who attended, donated prizes or provided and served the tea afterwards.

DOWNPATRICK — Extreme drought conditions at Downpatrick Racecourse have forced the cancellation of next Monday’s meeting.

The course registrar, Mr Barry Ross, said that the committee hoped to find an alternative date in November for the meeting, probably a Saturday.

“We had thought of having the race at Down Royal, but because of the local sponsorship the committee decided to withhold the meeting until November in Downpatrick,” he said.

The lack of rain since June this year left the committee with no alternative than to call a halt to Monday’s meeting, Mr Ross explained.

If racing goes ahead in November at Downpatrick, it will be first time in the course’s history there has been winter racing there.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle and District Horticultural Society attracted almost 400 entries to their second annual show held in the Technical College on Saturday.

The show was opened by the well-known daffodil cultivator, Mrs K G Reade, and the chairman, Mr Cecil Baxter, praised both the quantity and the quality of the entrants.

Newcastle man Fred Russell won the top accolade at the show, the Gerald Annesley Cup, awarded for the highest points overall. Mr Russell also won the Commander Kirkpatrick Cup in the open vegetables section and a £5 voucher.

The society presented a number of prizes to those competitors who gained the highest number of points in the different classes. Mr Baxter said he hoped next year’s show would include a competition for the best-kept garden in the area.

SEAFORDE — Over £1,200 for the Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development was raised at a fete held at Forde’s Estate in Seaforde.

The fete, organised to raise money for the Bill Keown Appeal Fund, was described as a “resounding success” by Mr Keown, who was delighted with the public response.

The joint masters of ceremonies, Commander Bill Martin and Mr Christie Brown, announced a varied programme of competitions and entertainment which included a bonny baby competition, facing dress and children’s sports.

The crowd cheered on their teams in the ladies’ football, five-a-side and tug-o’-war congests and there were also bowls, target golf, darts and throwing the sheaf competitions.

During the afternoon Downshire Hospital Pipe Band, the Black Watch Military Band and the sixth company Newtownards Scout Band provided a musical backcloth to the proceedings.

KILLYLEAGH _ Ten year-old Alan Morrison, from Killyleagh, has just proved himself leader of the field in his chosen sport of motocross. Alan, who lives at Castleview Gardens, won the British Scoolboy Championships in England at the weekend.

That makes him the top schoolboy scrambler in Great Britain and adds two more trophies to his impressive collection of silverware. The British championships were held over two days in Gloucester and Alan was up against the top schoolboy riders from all parts of the UK.

Although he has only been riding for two years, Alan is now well seasoned, having competed in many scrambling competitions both here and across the water.

He also takes every opportunity to practice in the fields around Killyleagh and is a member of the Northern Ireland Schoolboy Scrambling Club.

HILLTOWN — A substantial sum of money was stolen when a Post Office van was hijacked near Hilltown on Monday. Two men, one armed with a shotgun, stopped the van on the Hilltown-Bryansford Road.

The driver was forced to take the van to a nearby lake where the contents, including the sum of money, were removed. The driver was later released unharmed by the hijackers and the fan was recovered a short distance from the scene of the robbery by police.

MONEYREAGH — Northern Ireland’s two representatives at this year’s world ploughing championships in Holland will both be members of Moneyreagh Ploughing Society. James McGladdery and Tom McComb have been chosen to represent the province in the championships which take place over October 7-8.

They will be making the trip by van, which will allow them to take their own ploughs and equipment, so they can compete on the best possible terms with their international opponents.

BALLYWALTER — A vintage cars slalom over a difficult circuit provided the 2,000 visitors to the Alliance Party fete at Ballywalter Park with great entertainment. The organisers, Ards and North Down Association of the Alliance Party, also managed to raise £2,000 for party funds.

The course was co-designed by Lord Dunleath and it was thrills all the way for the spectators who had a grandstand view of the vintage cars racing from the terraces in front of the house. Other attractions at the fete included side shows, stalls, refreshment tents, novelty rides on tractors, pony rides and model trains.

CRICKET — Saintfield Cricket Club’s whirlwind rise continued on Saturday when they deservedly won Junior Section 4 and booked a place in senior cricket for the first time in the club’s history.

It has been an astonishing tale of success for an immensely popular club and it is just reward for there hard work of its officials down the years.

They clinched promotion in typical fashion by proving their worth, winning against close challengers Armagh by 37 runs.

SOCCER — The new soccer season opened with a 3-1 home for reigning Amateur League champions Downpatrick Rec, but not before they survived an early scare from a tough tackling Lisburn Rangers side.

The game was a personal triumph for Steven McCormick, slotted into midfield to replace Shane Breen, now with Bangor, and such was his authority that he picked up a special man of the match award presented by the match sponsors, Murphy Jewellers.

One interesting footnote to the Rec’s opening game was the announcement that Charlie Oakes has just been appointed assistant manager to Jim Prior.

Downpatrick: Tony Curran, Joe Lyttle, Peter Mulhall, Jim Connolly, Paddy Kelly, Hugh Conlon, Sean Polly, Steven McCormick, Artie Rice, Donal Bell, Barney Fitzsimons and Marty Ross.