From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 4, 1973

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 4, 1973

4 December 2013

CROSSGAR — A 21 year-old Crossgar girl had a lucky escape on Friday night when her car hit the back of an Ulsterbus and burst into flames on the Saintfield-Crossgar Road about half a mile from Saintfield.

Miss Shireen Orr, of Hillhead House, an employee of a Belfast travel firm, was returning to her home just before 6 o’clock when the accident occurred. A Crossgar painter, Mr. Bobbie Nelson, who was a passenger in the bus, jumped out and ran to the blazing car.

In a dramatic rescue he pulled Miss Orr to safety before the vehicle was finally engulfed. He then laid her by the roadside and went to phone for an ambulance.

Two off-duty policemen arrived at the scene and took her to a nearby house. From there she was transferred to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, where she was detained. Her condition was later said to be comfortable.

Her father, Mr. Tom Orr, said of the men’s actions: “Had it not been for quick thinking on their part she would have died. She couldn’t get out of her car, but Mr. Nelson dragged her clear.

Mrs. Orr also praised Mr. Nelson’s quick thinking. “Thanks to him we still have our daughter,” she said.

BALLYKINLAR — Terrorists mounted a rocket attack on the UDR centre at Ballykinlar army camp on Thursday evening. Little damage was done and no-one was hurt. Police and soldiers in the area found a car near Downpatrick which they think may have been used in the attack and at the gates of the primary school at Tyrella they came across a rocket launcher and several missiles.

A big hunt was started at first light on Friday morning for the terrorists. It was the second time that such an attack was launched at the UDR centre.

DOWNPATRICK — Any proposal to construct a tunnel under Downpatrick’s Mall to accommodate a by-pass linking the Belfast and Newcastle roads seems to be doomed, even before it hits the drawing board.

Last week planners asked the district council to suspend work in the construction of a much overdue public convenience block at the Market Street car park while they clarified their forward planning intentions.

It seems that the public have clarified all that needs clarification. The prospect of a wide road coming through the historic Grove beside Down Cathedral is clearly unacceptable to many minds. Conservationists are appalled by the thought of the trees being cut away and of virtual desecration of the place where John Wesley preached on a visit to the town.

It is also considered that Lower Market Street, with its present congestion of traffic, is unsuitable as an exit point for a by-pass.

KILLYLEAGH — Seventeen years ago Tommy Williamson opened a small grocery business in Killyleagh. Today, he moves shop across the town’s High Street to open a new supermarket. Such has been Tommy’s popularity that his trade has been steadily building up since that first opening day and now he feels the need to expand and provide a better service to his customers.

However, there is one thing that Tommy insists will not change and that is personal service to the customer. “There should be more than a business relationship in any shop, even in rush periods,” he says. “People are always attracted to the homely atmosphere of the family store — a place where there is always a bit of chat.”

BALLYNAHINCH — Tributes to Mr. Thomas McNamara’s 55 years of leadership in scouting were paid at First Ballynahinch Scout Group’s parents night on Tuesday when he was presented with the movement’s second highest award — the Silver Acorn — by Mr. William Brennan, Chief Scouting Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

Lacy Clanwilliam, on behalf of the parents, officers and old scouts, handed over a battery clock and cheque. She expressed the gratitude and grateful thanks of everyone for all Mr. McNamara had done for scouting and wished him richly deserved health and happiness in the years ahead.

CASTLEWARD — The bid to create a concert hall and multi-purpose social centre at Castleward received a substantial shot in the arm when the National Trust’s Christmas fair raised £700 at the weekend. It was the first of several functions aimed at raising £10,000 for the conversion of an old barn.

CONEY ISLAND — Miss Lucy Gibson, of Coney Island, died peacefully on Wednesday at Quoile Hospital, Downpatrick, where she had been bedridden for the past 15 years. She was 91. A member of an old and respected Coney Island family, she ran a small guest house there for many years and made many friends before her retirement.

She was a staunch member of Ardglass Presbyterian Church and still kept up her strong links with that church until her eyesight failed her about six months ago. She was predeceased some years ago by her sister, with whom she lived at Coney Island.

STRANGFORD — Control of the Strangford ferry service has been thrown into the melting pot by local government reorganisation. Next week the two district councils of Ards and Down will be asked for their views on the future of the service and it may be that they will be offered the chance of running it.

The modern vehicle ferry service was initiated four years ago by the former County Council and maintained by the County Surveyor’s department. Since reorganisation the service has continued to be administered by the people who were involved — now the district roads executive — and there are fears that if any changes are made the service will suffer.

KILLOUGH — Killough’s farmers’ complaint that more than 1,000 acres of good agricultural land is useless for farming because of an inefficient drainage system is to be given departmental attention.

The problem was highlighted at a meeting of Downpatrick’s branch of the Ulster Farmers’ Union a fortnight ago. A meeting is being arranged at an early date between representatives of the ministries involved and the farmers with a view to improving the drainage of Strand Lough, which is the source of the problem.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass Gaelic Football Club held their convention on Sunday when the following officers were elected: chairman, J. Starkey; vice-chairman, E. Lennon; secretary, T. O’Shea; assistant secretary and PRO, P. Irvine; treasurer, G. Rooney; assistant treasurer, J. B. Ross; team manager, P. O’Shea. Committee: Joe McGrath, John McGrath, P. Bignall, P. Curran, P. Magee, J. Rooney. Team captain: C. Milligan.

In his report the secretary mentioned the new playing pitch provided by the council, but stressed the need for changing rooms as this pitch was almost enclosed by two housing estates. The club did very well finishing high up the league and had a lot of promising players.

BUSES — Bus services in East Down are expected to be cut by half today and hundreds of schoolchildren will be staying at home because of the disruption.

All Ulsterbus maintenance engineers at the Downpatrick depot downed tools on Wednesday morning. They joined the countrywide strike by 250 engineers over a pay differential dispute arising from a pending amalgamation of Ulsterbus and Citybus.

The morning services to Ardglass were almost immediately halved and those to Woodgrange, Raholp, Rossglass and Ballylucas were chopped completely without prior warning, leaving many schoolchildren stranded. Services at the Ballynahinch and Newcastle depots were also affected and again many schoolchildren had to stay at home.

Many workers relying on the early morning services, have had to settle for late arrival at work or, in some cases, stay away completely. At a time when all forms of transport are being hit hard by the petrol shortage, the situation could become chaotic.