From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 1978

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 1978

19 December 2018

NEWCASTLE — Fears that Newcastle’s status as a lifeboat base could be thrown on the rocks were sunk yesterday by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s chief spokesman in Ireland, Lt-Col Brian Clark.

In a clear-cut statement he dashed the hopes of 400 Kilkeel fishermen who have called for a full-scale rescue centre to be set up in their port instead of Newcastle.

Lt-Col Clark, who is the RNLI’s organising secretary for all of Ireland, has also hit out strongly at claims that the prospect of a tug-o’-war situation is looming between Newcastle and Kilkeel.

He said: “Kilkeel has indeed been considered carefully as a possible location for a lifeboat, but the major requirement is that a boat must be able to get away from its base promptly in all kinds of weather.

“The RNLI management committee feels that this capability is at present lacking in the case of Kilkeel where strong winds create unfavourable conditions at the entrance to the new harbour. These conditions could prevent a lifeboat from returning to its moorings and may prevent it from getting out of the harbour on service.”

Lord Roden, the honorary secretary of the Newcastle lifeboat station, has also rejected the latest call to switch the lifeboat base from his town to Kilkeel.

“I can give an assurance that Newcastle is taking no part in such an argument,” he said. “The stationing of boats on the coast is solely a matter for the RNLI management committee.

“The Newcastle lifeboatmen are proud of their boat. They have been operating here since 1842, but if any change in the situation was introduced I think they would accept it.”

DRUMANESS — Teddy, the big-hearted golden labrador from Drumaness, who made a habit of carrying his master’s schoolbag home from school each day, is missing. Owner, Patsy Tweedie, of Mullamore Drive, thinks he is dead.

Teddy, who featured on the Recorder’s front page in February, hasn’t been around his home for over two weeks and this makes Mr Tweedie almost certain he is dead.

“Teddy had been running around with a bitch recently and came him peppered with pellets just before he disappeared,” Mr Tweedie said. “That makes me believe he has been shot by some farmer who thought he was worrying sheep.

“If that is the case I feel the farmer has made a mistake. Teddy wouldn’t worry sheep. He was far more interested in carrying my son’s bag home from school and things like that. He was well known in the village and senior citizens were often thankful to have him around as a sort of watch dog.

Mr Tweedie said there had been several cases of sheep worrying in the district recently and that’s what led him to believe that a farmer may have shot him.

He added: “We certainly miss him. One way or another, I would be interested to hear from anyone who saw him recently.”

KILLYLEAGH — Mr David Watson thought he had fought his last battle with the end of World War 1 — but he was wrong. Mr Watson, who is 94 and probably one of Killyleagh’s oldest residents, has been fighting a gruelling battle with the Housing Executive to obtain a house without stairs.

At his Comber Road home Mr Watson and his 84 year-old wife, Liza-Jane, have been tormented for a long time by problems which are easily overcome by the young, but cause massive complications for older citizens.

The normally simple operation of climbing stairs is is a great task for Mrs Watson. Because of ill health, she has to crawl up to her bedroom on hands and knees and get back down on hands and knees.

Spearheading the Watsons’ case has been their daughter, Mrs Jean Cheevers, and after a long struggle she has finally managed to get good news for her parents.

After bringing her case to the attention of the local MP, Mr Enoch Powell, Mr Gerry Fitt MP, Cllr Rowan-Hamilton, the Sunday News and the Down Recorder, she has at last evoked a reaction from the Housing Executive.

The Executive has now decided to take a “humanitarian attitude” to the couple’s case, therefore increasing their chances of getting a stair-free home.

In a sympathetic letter to Mrs Cheevers, an Executive spokesman explained that full consideration had been given to the age and state of health of Mr and Mrs Watson.

“I should add that our ability to rehouse your parents in accommodation suitable to their needs will be dependent on such accommodation becoming available in the area,” the spokesman added.

DOWNPATRICK — A bumper medieval pageant proposed for Downpatrick in May to celebrate St Patrick is hanging in the balance — and only a large turnout at a public meeting early in the New Year can save it from the chop.

The pageant, the brainchild of Down Council’s arts committee, is seen to be one of the best ideas to come out of the district for some time — but unless sufficient backing is forthcoming, then the community festival will have to be scrubbed.

Organisers have been guaranteed funds from Down Council, but in order to quality for a big payout by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board will have to have the potential to be a major tourist attraction and to be continued each year.

Mr Frank Connolly, a spokesman for the arts committee told the Recorder: “If there is no support, there will be no festival, it’s as simple as that. We’re calling a public meeting for January 11 in the new library in Downpatrick and it’s essential that there is a massive turnout of interested people and of organisations who are willing to play a part.

“A successful event would no doubt help tourism and it’s in the interest of the district to give it their full support.”

BALLYGOWAN — A young handicapped Ballygowan boy received an extra Christmas surprise recently when his pet donkey gave birth to a baby foal.

Seven year-old Gregory Townley suffers from spina bifida but the new addition to the family is certain to add an extra sparkle to Christmas for him.

His mother, Mrs Myrtle Townley, said: “My husband got a donkey for Gregory two years ago after he bought a motorbike for my nine year-old son Roy. The little foal was born two weeks ago and Gregory will now have twice as much to handle.

“He has still not picked a proper name for the new addition. He has nicknamed it Miss Argentina after the beauty contest winner.”

STRANGFORD — Strangford harbour could once again become a busy port of call for boat owners. Behind-the-scenes discussions are tang place in an attempt to end the monopoly of harbour facilities by the Strangford ferry and open up berths for smaller craft.

Strangford, as a port of call for small boats, was virtually closed off several years ago with the expansion of the ferry service and ancillary facilities.

The village’s past has always been linked with the harbour when an armada of small boats tied up at the harbour wall, particularly during the successful carnival days.

DRUMNAQUOILE — Police are investigating the slaughter of three sheep and the injuring of ten others in the Drumnaquoile area. The dead and injured sheep belonged to Mr Alex McQuoile. The police again appeal to the public to keep their dogs under control.

BALLEE — The boys and girls of Ballee Church Sunday School presented a Christmas mime during the annual carol service on Sunday night.

Gabriel was played by Mandy Ferguson, Mary was played by Hayley McCann, while Joseph and Elizabeth were played by Norman Fitzpatrick and Donna Ferguson respectively. The innkeeper was Brian Hamilton and the shepherds were Nicola Fleming, Pamela Strain, Jason Edgar and Ian Hamilton. The wise men were played by Paula McCann, Sharon Fitzpatrick and John Fleming.