From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 11, 1973

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 11, 1973

11 December 2013

DOWNPATRICK — A 23 year-old Downpatrick fireman, Dermot Norton, of St. Dillon’s Avenue, kept the victim of a road accident alive until he got to hospital by repeated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The accident occurred on Friday night as 18 year-old John Dobbin, of Marshallstown, and Philip Archer (17), of Pegasus Walk, Ballyvange, Downpatrick, were thumbing a lift to Newcastle. Both men were injured by a passing car, Mr. Dobbin seriously.

Mr. Norton arrived on the scene shortly afterwards and noticed that Dobbin’s breathing had stopped. He applied resuscitation techniques until the ambulance arrived and accompanied the injured men to hospital. Mr. Dobbin was later moved to the intensive care ward where his condition was yesterday described as “ill.” Mr. Archer’s condition was described as satisfactory.

Mr. Norton, who has just completed first aid training, has earned the plaudits of police, firemen and the public for his action.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh is deteriorating badly. The public conveniences are filthy and out or order. The estates are very untidy with long grass in the gardens. There is a lot of litter on the sea front and the town centre is dirty and untidy.

That’s what the Central Gardens Association say about the town in the annual report on the ‘Best Kept’ villages, small towns and large towns in Northern Ireland.

In fact, so critical are the Association of Killyleagh’s appearance that they could find nothing good to say about it and placed it last in their list of small towns. The report asks: “Could the Town Improvement Committee be encouraged to take a more active interest?”

BALLYNAHINCH — A new partnership between Ballynahinch Technical College and the local county secondary school is to be formed with a view to meeting the demand or a greater range of courses and more extensive subject content.

At last night’s prize distribution in the technical college, Mr. Robert Jones, acting principal, outline the pilot scheme to make the two institutions “equal partners in education.” It has been planned by Mr. Jones and Mr. S. McCullough, headmaster of the secondary school.

Mr. Jones said the effects of the raising of the school leaving age were being reflected by the increased numbers in classes and that the number of awards and certificates – over 200 — was proof of the students’ enthusiasm to make use of the extra time.

He said a partnership approach with the secondary school was one of the most important steps forward to have taken place in the Ballynahinch technical area for many years.

KILLOUGH — Horses straying on roads around the Killough area are a constant danger to motorists and a menace to local farmers. Mr. Eddie Nelson, Downpatrick branch member of the Ulster Farmers’ Union told a monthly meeting on Tuesday night that unless something is done to prevent these animals straying there could be a serious accident.

He said that the motoring public will blame farmers who don’t own these strays. In fact, they are a menace to the farmer because passers by sometimes turn them into fields where they spend the time chasing livestock.

CASTLEWELLAN — The pantomime Robinson Crusoe was produced the pupils of the County Secondary School, Castlewellan, on Thursday and Friday evenings. The story followed fairly closely the time-honoured tale of Robinson Crusoe, played by Lynne McCavery, being cast up on a desert island and finding Man Friday.

There are however, other characters who play their parts in the story. Juanita (Carol Jaye), the lovely daughter of Captain Cummango (George Kearney) is romantically involved with the principal boy. The two plantation managers, Bob Down and Sam Snorer (David Kelly and Noel Halliday), muddle through their business affairs, although constantly pursued by two man-eating girls, Pepita and Eulalia, played by two very young actresses, Anna Martin and Valerie Fleming.

Shipwrecked on a desert island, Robin is faced with the difficulty of rescuing his friends from the cannibals led by Jeremy Moorhead and Janette Gouldie. This he achieves with the help of Captain Crossbones (Margaret Holmes) Johnny Windup (Anne Priestly) and their motley crew.

STRANGFORD — Major W. S. Brownlow, Unionist Assemblyman for Ards, has been told by Mr. David Howell, Minister of State, that discussions between the Ministries of Finance and Development about the provision of a second vessel for the Strangford ferry service are well advanced. In a written reply to questions, Mr. Howell states that it is soon hoped to reach a decision in principle, one way or the other.

In answer to questions by Mr. Jim Kilfedder, North Down, Mr. Howell has stated that the latest estimate of the cost of a new vessel is £350,000. Mr. Howell has told Mr. Kilfedder that the cost of a bridge would be not less than £4 million.

SAINTFIELD — Ponies of different sizes and colours were on view at Saintfield Livestock Mart for the first annual sale on Saturday. There was an entry of more than 80 from all parts of County Down. Some Shetland and Connemara ponies, as well as donkeys were in the line-up.

This is the first of four sales of ponies which will be taking place in the pre-Christmas period. Mr. Sidney Mawhinney, the auctioneer, said demand for quiet animals used to children was very strong.

INCH — First Inch Scouts and cubs were ‘at home’ to their parents and friends recently in Inch Memorial Hall. A varied programme of games and activities was presented, camping and mountaineering exhibitions were mounted, several boys were invested and a number of badges were presented.

For the past few Saturdays the boys have been occupied gathering and cutting logs, which will be distributed to senior citizens in time for Christmas.

CROSSGAR — There was a large attendance of parents and friends at the enrolment service of Lissara Girls’ Brigade, which was conducted by the chaplain, the Rev. S. A. Matthews, on Sunday morning. The captain, Mrs. M. Hamilton, lieutenants Mrs. F. Hamilton, Miss H. Coffey and Miss M. McMillan, sub-officers Miss Iris McMillan and Miss Alexandra Shaw, and girls were enrolled. The lessons were read by Miss H. Coffey and Mrs. M. Hamilton and the offering received by Misses Mary Harper, Ruth Maude, Joyce Nelson and Eleanor McCormick.

Owing to the lighting restrictions it has been found necessary to cancel plans to have an illuminated Christmas tree and the usual carol singing in Crossgar. However, the local community association hope for better things next year.

ARDGLASS — The Rev. T. H. W. Dunwoody, rector of Ardglass and Dunsford since 1966, is to move to the incumbency of St. Clement’s, Urmston, in the diocese of Manchester. His institution will be on January 10 in Manchester Cathedral. Mr. and Mrs. Dunwoody and their family will be leaving Ardglass shortly.

KILMORE — The total amount realised at the annual Christmas fayre held by Kilmore Presbyterian Church on Friday was £112.50. After the payment of expenses the Church Missions should benefit by approximately £106.

SAVINGS — Mr. Robert Jones, chairman of County Down Savings Committee, visited many schools throughout the county. At each school Mr. Jones, who was accompanied by the county organiser, Mr. W. Thompson, emphasised the need for continuity in savings and expressed the hope that pupils who were not already savings through the school group would join and learn the habit of thrift which would stand them in good stead in the days ahead.

At Spa Primary School two pupils received a 30-year certificate on behalf of the group members. At Derryboye a 20-year seal was presented to Mr. S. Allan and at Killyleagh Secondary School, Mr. W. J. Carruthers, principal, accepted a 20-year seal.