From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 1972

19 December 2012

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s Christmas tree has found a new and more prominent site at Upper Irish Street this year. The switching on of the Christmas lights was performed on Monday night by the urban council chairman, Mr. Edward McGrady, and afterwards a carol service was held. Mr. McGrady said the lighting of the tree and the carol service reminded him of the old Irish custom of placing a lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve.

“To all people living and working, playing and learning in this town, I wish a happy and holy Christmas with a peaceful and prosperous new year,” he said. “I would particularly extend greetings to all who have come to live here in the past year and I hope they will fund the peace and prosperity they are seeking, and we all are seeking, here in Downpatrick. To those from Downpatrick living abroad I would also extend this Christmas greeting from the people of the town.”

Those who took part in the carol service were: the Very Rev. R. W. Kilpatrick, the Rev. J. Radcliffe, Fr. Sean Rogan, the Rev. J. Pedlow, Mr. Terence McKee, urban councillor, Mr. Owen O’Connor, town clerk, Mr. J. Doris, urban councillor, and Mr. John Kelly, town foreman.

BALLYNAHINCH — “Ballynahinch is no declining area of stagnant backwater,” stated Mr. Robert Jones, principal of the local technical college, at the annual prize-giving on Thursday.

“It is one which is vitally alive and ready to meet every challenge as it occurs,” he said. “And I can say that is certainly true of our further education. The viability of further education in Ballynahinch is in the hands of the people of the area. Advanced technical education is now more important than ever for our youth.”

Mr. Jones said the year under review was one of the most important they had experienced and they now looked forward to the new challenge presented by the raising of the school leaving age.

While in no way denigrating the work of other educational establishments, each of which had an important role to play, Mr. Jones felt that none should usurp the function of others and that all should work as partners, ensuring that they trained their youth thoroughly.

KILLYLEAGH — More than fifty members of Killyleagh and Shrigley senior citizens club visited Killyleagh Castle, the home of Col. and Mrs. Rowan-Hamilton on Tuesday. They were entertained to tea and had a portion of a Christmas cake specially baked for the occasion.

A free draw was won by Mr. John Dornan and the accompanists for the musical programme were Miss J. Bain and Miss Lillian Lundy. Afterwards a vote of thanks to Col. and Mrs. Rowan-Hamilton and to the committee was proposed by Mr. George McCallister. Mr. A. Smyth was a capable compere for the entertainment programme.

NEWCASTLE — The annual Christmas concert of Newcastle County Primary School was held in the school’s assembly hall on Monday and Tuesday evening when the children presented a programme of mime and music to large audiences of parents, past pupils and friends.

Scott McCaughey and Kenneth Cromie stage-managed the show, for which Angela Beatty acted as announcer. At the end of each evening a collection was taken up to aid The League of Pity, the junior branch of the NSPCC.

ANNSBOROUGH — Members of Annsborough Women’s Institute held their annual Christmas dinner in the Donard Hotel, Hotel. The president, Miss Blackwood, welcomed members and friends and remarked on the tragic death of a founder member, Mrs. M. Brown. Members enjoyed a splendid meal and extended thanks to the hotel proprietress, Mrs. Maginn, and her staff for the excellent service provided. Later, Mr. Bertie Gracey entertained on his electric organ and songs were rendered by Mrs. Lenaghan, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. McCabe, Mrs. K. Kelly, Mrs. McHenry, Mrs. McKibbin, Mrs. Magee and Mrs. Cooney.

The president would like to thank the members and the many friends who provided over one hundred parcels for the mentally handicapped of Downshire Hospital.

KILCLIEF — Older residents of the Kilclief area learn with regret of the death of Mr. Joseph McGrath, who lived at Ballywooden until his retirement in 1961. He died some days ago at his wife’s family’s home in Liverpool. A founder member of Strangford Golf Club, he took an active part in the social activities in the area until the late 1940s.

NEWCASTLE — Mr. Thomas James Mills (68), of South Promenade, Newcastle, died in the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Friday. He had been injured in a road accident a few days earlier.

CARGYCREEVY — Bernard Kelly, of Upper Drumaness, was the driver of a lorry which killed a cow on the Ballynahinch/Lisburn Road on Wednesday morning. The cow was owned by Mr. W. J. Shaw, of Cargycreevy, and the lorry belongs to John McQuillan, Andersonstown Road, Belfast.

CASTLEWELLAN — An eighteen year-old motorist, Geoffrey Peters, of Ballyroney, Castlewellan, and his four passengers were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries received in an accident on Saturday night.

INCH — An annual Christmas whist drive was held under the auspices of Inch Flute Band in Inch Hall on Friday night. Mr. Ted Lennon was an efficient MC over 14 tables and the winner of the turkey for top score was Mr. R. Watson. The Christmas draw was won by Miss R. Watterson, of Roughal Park, Downpatrick, who received a basket of groceries.

KILLOUGH — Two special musical evenings, featuring Anna Kurton and her guitar and auto harp, are being held in Killough House tonight and Boxing Day. The proprietress, Mrs. Dita Ash, is sponsoring them in conjunction with Guinness. Highlight from the menu — fresh oysters from Strangford Lough.

DOWNPATRICK — Mrs. B. Frew, Ritcroft Street, Adeyfield, formerly Miss Bernadette Lavery, of Bull’s Eye Road, Downpatrick, in a letter to an English newspaper, suggests that everyone in Northern Ireland should recall the meaning of Christmas: ‘Peace on Earth, good will to all men.” She feels everyone should offer up prayers for peace and guidance in the future.